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I  SOCIETY  OF  INQUIRY ;  | 


LIBRA.RY 

OF   THE 

Theological   Seminary, 

PRINCETON.    N.J.  

BX  9225  .P45  B63  1835       ; 
a    Boggs,  John. 

The  southern  Christian 

Jiooii,  \ ..,1 4^or:z.  -  .... :  -.......-- ^11  '\\ 


\ 


SOUTOERN     CHRISTIAN. 


THE 


SOUTHERN     CHRISTIAN 

EXEMPLIFIED 

IN   THE   MEMOIRS  OF 
ANTHONY  JEFFERSON   PEARSON, 

Who  died  August  3l6t,  1834,  in  Spartanburgh,  South  Carolina. 


BY  J.  BOGGS,  A.  M. 


His  grace,  which  was  bestowed  on  me,  was  not  in  ■fiXw.—Paul, 


NEW    YORK: 
PUBLISHED   BY    EZRA   COLLIER, 

SUCCESSOR  TO  JOHN  P.  HAVEN, 
American  Tract  Society  House,  148  Nagsau  street. 

1835. 


BNTBRED  ACCORDING  TO  THE  ACT  OF  CONGRRSS,  IN  THE  YEAR  1835, 

BY 

EZRA  COLLIER, 

IN   THE    clerk's   OPFICE   OF   THE   DISTRICT   COURT  OF   THE   UNITED 
STATES,    FOR  THE  SOUTHERN  DISTRICT  OF  NEW  YORK. 


INTRODUCTION. 

Why  is  this  volume  published  ? — To  demon- 
strate that  Religion  can  flourish  in  the  South  ; — 
to  refute,  practically,  the  ill-founded  assertion, 
that  our  climate  is  not  adapted  to  the  growth  of 
piety.  Instead  of  arguments,  we  give  you 
facts.  Do  you  doubt  whether  godliness, — en- 
lightened and  fervent, — deep  and  permanent, — 
can  be  found  in  the  South?  Carefully  inspect 
the  character  of  A.  J.  Pearson ;  and  your  doubts 
will  vanish. 

Do  you  wish  to  know  what  means  are  most 
likely  to  promote  the  growth  of  grace  in  the 
South  ?  Attentively  view  the  course  pursued 
by  our  Southern  Christian.  Follow  him  to  his 
devotional  retreats.  See  his  Bible  spread  be- 
fore him, — his  mind  and  his  heart  open  to  self- 
inspection, — his  very  soul  absorbed  in  heavenly 

contemplation.     Go  with  him,  when  he  mingles 

1* 


VI  INTRODUCTION. 

with  society, — travel  with  him,  on  his  journies, 
— attend  him  to  the  Sabbath  School, — visit,  with 
him,  the  house  of  God.  Hence  will  you  learn, 
how  it  was  that  he  held  on  his  way,  and  grew 
stronger  and  stronger. 

To  the  question,  Why  is  this  little  volume 
published  ?  we  may  reply,  in  A.  J.  Pearson 
was  found  genuine  godliness  ;  so  intense  and 
constant  was  his  piety,  that  it  soared  far  above 
the  reach  of  suspicion,  A  pious  curiosity  led 
the  writer  of  these  pages  to  trace  the  stream  to 
its  fountain.  In  his  progress,  he  found  much  to 
quicken  his  own  zeal,  confirm  his  resolution, 
and  comfort  his  heart.  That  his  Christian 
brethren  may  participate  in  these  advantages 
and  consolations,  he  now  sends  this  little  vo- 
lume to  the  Churches:  trusting  that,  in  some 
degree,  it  may  make  glad  the  city  of  our  God, 
the  holy  place  of  the  tabernacles  of  the  Most 
High. 

This  volume  is  sent,  jvith  the  best  wishes  of 
the  Editor,  to  the  timidj  doubting^  yet  consci- 


INTRODUCTION.  VII 

entious  believer :  hoping'  that  it  will  lead  him 
to  the  persevering  use  of  those  means,  that 
raised  our  diffident  and  timorous  Southern 
Christian  above  all  painful  doubts  and  fears ; 
and  which  brought  him  down  to  his  grave  in 
peace. 

To  Christians  of  all  denominations,  this  vo- 
lume is  presented.  The  period  is  come  when 
the  world,  in  rebellion  against  God,  is  to  be 
subdued.  By  Christians,  it  is  to  be  subdued. 
By  Christians,  completely  clad  in  gospel  ar- 
mor. In  this  war,  heroes  alone  will  stand. 
When  the  sacramental  host  of  God's  elect  is 
composed  of  heroes  of  magnanimous  daring, 
when  it  is  composed  of  such  spirits  as  our 
Southern  Christian,  it  will  march  around  the 
globe,  '  conquering  and  to  conquer.'  The  Lamb 
shall  indeed  overcome;  "for  he  is  Lord  of 
lords  and  King  of  kings ;  when  they  that  are 
with  him  are  called,  and  chosen,  and  faithful." 
Would  Christians  witness  the  triumph  of  Christ 
over  all  his  foes,  and  share  in  the  honor  and 


via  I  N  T  R  O  D  U  C  T  ION. 

joy  of  that  triumph;  let  them  be  in  their  seve- 
ral places,  as  far  as  possible,  what  young  Pear- 
son was  in  his.  Wlien  professed  Christians 
recline  at  their  ease,  or  in  the  Lord's  vineyard 
stand  idle  all  the  day  long,  in  this  age  of  bene- 
volent exertion;  when  they  give  neither  their 
hearts,  nor  their  hands,  nor  their  influence,  nor 
their  treasures,  to  spread  abroad  the  gospel  and 
evangelize  the  world;  who  does  not  fear  lest 
that  tremendous  imprecation  may  light  on 
them:  "Curse  ye  Meroz,  (said  the  angel  of  the 
Lord,)  curse  ye  bitterly  the  inhabitants  thereof; 
because  they  came  not  to  the  help  of  the  Lord, 
to  the  help  of  the  Lord  against  the  mighty." 

To  candidates  for  the  gospel  ministry,  and  to 
all  who  have  lately  entered  the  holy  office,  is 
this  volume  especially  directed.  In  Pearson 
they  will  find  a  model,  worthy  of  their  imita- 
tion. None  of  his  most  discerning  friends  will 
think  the  assertion  extravagant,  that,  with  regard 
to  elevated  piety  and  pure  morals,  he  was  every 
thing  that  a  minister  of  Christ  should  be.     It 


INTRODUCTION.  IX 

is  true  that  tlie  likeness,  here  drawn,  is  far  be- 
neath the  original ;  but  in  this  rough  sketch,  at 
least  the  outlines  of  his  features  may  be  dis- 
tinctly traced.  Such  as  he  was,  such  may  you 
be.  You  profess  the  same  religion, — ^^your 
Bible  is  the  same, — your  Redeemer  the  same, — 
your  motives  to  zeal  and  activity  the  same. 
Like  him  aspire  after  the  highest  degree  of 
godliness, — like  him  maintain  communion  with 
God,  from  day  to  day, — like  him  consecrate 
yourselves  and  all  you  possess,  as  well  as  all 
you  expect  to  possess,  entirely  to  the  service  of 
your  gracious  God, — and  like  him  always  abound 
in  the  work  of  the  Lord.  Be  like  him ;  and 
if  your  talents  are  splendid,  they  will  shine  with 
a  heavenly  lustre.  Be  like  him  ;  and  if  you 
have  the  rare  requisites  of  an  orator,  guided 
and  impelled  by  the  inimitable  pathos  of  a 
devout  heart,  you  will  speak  with  golden 
tongues.  Be  like  him  ;  and  without  the  blaze 
of  superior  genius,  you  may  "turn  many  to. 
righteousness ;  and  hereafter  shine  as  the  bright- 


X  INTRODUCTION. 

ness  of  the  firmament  and  as  the  stars  forever 
and  ever." 

My  last  reason,  and  my  first  too,  for  the  pub- 
lication of  this  volume  is  the  GLORY  of 
our  REDEEMER.  Our  Southern  Christian 
bore  his  image; — most  distinctly  exhibited  his 
features.  No  one  could  spend  an  hour  in  his 
company  without  thinking  of  Him,  who  was 
"meek  and  lowly  in  heart."  Neither  in  this 
district  nor  in  this  state,  have  we  seen  a  more 
striking  demonstration  of  the  existence  and 
power  of  Him,  who  is  "mighty  to  save."  We 
might,  without  the  aid  of  fanaticism,  apply  to 
him  the  strong  assertion  of  a  distinguished 
divine  of  France:  "Whenever  I  see  a  man 
remarkably  spiritual  and  devout,  I  think  I  see 
my  Saviour."  His  zeal,  temperate,  but  resolute ; 
his  compassion,  spreading  widely  as  the  frailties, 
the  wants,  and  the  sorrows  of  man  ;  his  tranquil 
meekness,  which  nothing  could  ruffle ;  above 
all,  the  heavenly  bias  of  his  heart,  which 
seemed  to  inscribe  on  his  features,  "Not  of  this 


DEDICATION.  XI 

world"; — all  brought  to  our  recollection  Him, 
who  while  on  earth  said  of  himself,  "the  Son  of 
man  who  is  in  heaven." 

DEDICATION. 
This  little  work,  is  therefore  dedicated  to 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  The  Editor  asks 
no  patronage  but  his.  The  Editor  dreads  no 
frown  but  his.  For  more  than  fifty  years, 
he  has  been  a  constant  friend ;  and  most  his 
friend,  when  needed  most.  The  entire  remnant 
of  his  years  will,  he  trusts,  be  employed  to  per- 
suade others  to  admire  and  love  his  inestima- 
ble friend.  This  little  volume  goes  forth  in  his 
name ;  its  sole  object  is  to  make  him  known. 
Blessed  Jesus!  pardon  its  errors,  be  indulgent 
to  its  imperfections.  Let  thy  favor  'encom- 
pass it,  as  a  shield.'  Let  thy  Spirit  attend  it,  to 
the  hearts  of  thousands  ;  let  it  live  in  the  affec- 
tionate remembrance  of  thy  redeemed,  when 
the  grave  shall  enclose  thy  unworthy  servant, 

J.  BOGGS. 


THE 

SOUTHERN  CHRISTIAN. 


CHAPTER    I. 

Anthony  Jefferson  Pearson  was  born  on 
the  6th  day  of  February,  1810. 

At  the  time  of  his  birth,  his  father  and  mo- 
ther were  both  members  of  the  Church  of  Na- 
zareth, in  Spartanburgh  District,  South  Carolina. 
According  to  the  custom  of  the  church  to  which 
they  belonged,  their  infant  son  was  early  bap- 
tized, and  placed  under  the  care  of  their  cove- 
nant-keeping God.  The  solemn  hour,  in  which 
they  brought  their  little  Jefferson  to  the  altar  of 
God,  his  parents,  with  strong  emotions,  remem- 
ber still.  On  that  day,  so  fully  did  his  mother's 
heart  surrender  her  child  to  the  God  of  her 
life;  that  she  never,  afterwards,  regarded  him 
as  her  own.  From  that  moment  to  the  close 
of  his  life,  in  her  account  he  was  the  Lord's. 

His  ancestors,  as  far  as  they  can  be  traced 
back,  were  moral,  patriotic,  and  respectable. 
His  father,  and  mother,  and  sister,  their  only 


14  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

surviving  child,  are  still  members  of  the  church 
in  which  he  was  baptized. 

At  a  very  early  period,  he  began  to  show 
strong  indications  of  that  tender  affection  for 
his  mother,  that  distinguishes  a  good  child. 
Under  the  influence  of  the  tenderness  an  affec- 
tionate mother  feels  for  her  first  and  only  babe, 
she  dreaded  the  moment,  when  it  would  be  ne- 
cessary to  tear  her  little  son  from  her  bosom. 
Already,  in  imagination,  she  had  anticipated  all 
the  pangs,  attending  the  weaning  of  her  beloved 
boy.  But  fortunately,  they  were  in  a  great 
measure  imaginary;  for  he  submitted,  almost 
without  a  struggle:  and  showed  even  then,  in 
some  degree,  his  high  respect  for  parental  au- 
thority. To  the  lady,  who  kindly  aided  his 
mother  on  that  occasion,  he,  ever  after,  felt  a 
strong  attachment. 

Very  early,  his  affectionate  disposition  inclin- 
ed him  to  associate  with  other  children  ;  but  as 
soon  as  they  became  rude,  snatched  away  his 
toys,  or  showed  any  signs  of  ill-nature,  he  with- 
drew from  them.  One  of  his  early  associates 
recollects  that,  when  a  child,  he  was  held  up  by 
parents,  who  knew  him,  as  a  pattern  for  their 
own  children.    It  was  no  uncommon  occurrence, 


SOUTHERN    CHRISTIAN.  15 

for  a  mother  to  say  to  her  chUd,  "You  are  a 
naughty  boy  ;  Jefferson  would  not  do  so." 

At  a  very  early  age,  he  manifested  a  strong 
dislike  to  profane  language.  When  cursing  or 
swearing  reached  his  ear ;  with  much  serious- 
ness and  earnestness,  he  used  to  say  to  his 
mother,  "Mamma,  such  a  man  said  a  very 
naughty  word  ;  but  I  must  not  tell  what  it  was  ; 
or,  it  was  so  bad  that  you  would  not  hear  me 
say  it." 

In  the  sixth  year  of  his  age,  a  local  disease, 
in  the  lower  part  of  the  forehead,  well  nigh 
proved  fatal;  and  much  deranged  his  health, 
for  a  considerable  time.  On  account  of  this 
protracted  illness,  he  did  not  commence  his 
education,  until  he  entered  on  his  ninth  year. 
Mr.  Jonathan  N.  Hadden,  at  Poplar  Spring, 
was  his  first  preceptor.  Under  his  direction, 
he  became  acquainted  with  the  rudiments  of 
our  language.  Until  he  was  seven  years  old, 
Jefferson  being  an  only  child,  as  a  matter  of 
course,  was  much  indulged ;  and  greatly  endear- 
ed to  his  parents,  by  his  tedious,  painful,  and 
alarming  disease.  Brought  up  under  their  own 
eye  and  seldom  out  of  their  sight,  their  hearts 
could  scarce  endure  to  think  of  the  separation 


16  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

that  must  take  place,  when  he  was  put  to  school. 
Tlie  morning  at  length  arrived,  when  he  must 
leave  his  father's  house ;  and  for  a  time  relin- 
quish the  endearments  of  home.  His  little 
sister,  now  about  a  year  old,  began  to  occupy  a 
tender  place  in  his  affectionate  heart;  his  parentvS 
he  loved  with  an  unusual  glow  of  filial  attach- 
ment. But  all  these  tender  ties,  which  made 
home  so  sweet,  could  not  confine  him  there.  A 
thirst  for  knowledge  had,  already  awakened,  in 
his  youthful  bosom,  a  delightful  hope,  which 
pointed  to  a  home  in  Science,  more  enchant- 
ing than  that  which  he  was  now  about  to  leave. 
With  his  worthy  preceptor  by  his  side  and 
his  book  under  his  arm,  and  no  tear  in  his  eye, 
young  Pearson  left  his  father's  door.  His  mo- 
ther's eye  followed  him,  until  the  intervening 
branches  of  the  forest,  clad  in  the  robe  of 
spring,  hid  'him  from  her  sight.  Aye, — and 
her  heart  followed  him  too.  When  her  dear 
boy  disappeared,  she  devoutly  lifted  a  tearful 
eye  to  Heaven,  and  wafted  a  mother's  prayer 
beyond  the  sky :  "  that  the  God  of  her  fathers 
would  bless  her  son  ;  and  make  him  his  own." 
He  who  gave  the  mother's  tender  heart,  and 
whose  tenderness  far  surpasses  hers,  'hearkened 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  17 

and  heard' ;  and  a  book  of  remembrance  was 
written  before  him; — "He  shall  be  mine,  saith 
the  Lord,  in  the  day  when  I  make  up  my  jew- 
els." 

Never  was  the  mind  of  Jefferson  so  com- 
pletely engrossed  before.  His  book  was  his 
meat  and  drink, — his  father,  his  mother,  his 
little  sister,  his  home  and  all  to  him.  Had  his 
delighted  instructer  been  surrounded  by  forty 
such  boys,  he  would  have  longed  for  no  better 
employment  on  earth.  In  less  than  two  years, 
he  was  a  better  scholar  than  most  boys  at  the 
age  of  ten.  In  spelling  none  in  the  school  sur- 
passed him,  in  reading  few  were  equal, — in  the 
quickness  and  retentiveness  of  his  memory,  he 
excelled  them  all.  While  under  the  care  of 
Mr.  J.  N.  Hadden,  in  about  twenty-two  months, 
in  connection  with  his  other  studies,  he  had  read 
entirely  through  the  Bible,  and  committed  to 
memory  the  whole  of  the  Westminster  Shorter 
Catechism.  Thus  was  the  Bible,  at  an  early 
age,  with  all  its  interesting  truths  and  facts 
spread  before  his  mind,  from  man's,  creation  to 
his  last  account. 

Here  began  that  intellectual,  sentimental,  and 
practical  acquaintance  with  the  Word  of  God, 


13  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

which,  at  a  maturer  age,  gave  him  a  high  rank 
among  those,  in  whom  the  word  of  Christ 
dwells  richly,  in  all  wisdom. 

His  father — having  purchased  a  farm  in  the 
neighborhood  of  the  Poplar  Spring — removed 
to  it  in  the  spring  of  1820.  The  same  year, 
in  the  eleventh  of  his  age,  Jefferson  commenced 
the  study  of  the  Latin  language,  with  Matthew 
P.  Evins,  Esq.,  who  had  recently  taken  charge 
of  the  Poplar  Spring  Academy.  Under  his 
instruction,  he  read  through  the  Latin  Classics 
in  a  little  more  than  eighteen  months.  During 
this  period,  his  application  to  study  was  close 
and  unremitted ;  each  of  his  recitations  was 
prepared  with  care  and  accuracy.  Among  his 
fellow-students  his  conduct  was  at  once  inoffen- 
sive and  amiable.  If  the  interests  of  any  his 
companions  seemed  to  clash  with  his,  he  never 
contended.  In  the  disputes  of  others,  he  had 
no  concern  or  agency,  but  to  check  or  heal 
them.  He  partook  in  no  rude  or  noisy  plays ; 
hence  while  others  were  engaged  in  trifling,  lie 
was  often  observed  seated  alone  or  indulging  in 
a  solitary  ramble.  While  this  steady,  manly 
course  commanded  the  respect  of  his  fellow- 
students,  it  completely  gained  the  confidence  of 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  19 

his  teacher.  Such,  it  is  recollected,  was  his 
love  for  truth,  and  so  well  established  was  his 
reputation  for  veracity,  that  his  simple  afiirma- 
liori,  when  required,  had  in  evidence,  all  the 
Aveight  of  an  oath.  So  great  was  his  reverence 
for  truth,  that  he  could  not  endure  to  hear  it 
violated  even  in  jest. 

The  Latin  school  at  Poplar  Spring  being 
discontinued,  Jefferson  spent  the  next  year  in 
aiding  his  father  on  his  farm.  In  his  new  situ- 
ation, his  diligence,  fidelity,  and  cheerful  acqui- 
escence in  the  will  of  his  parents,  served  to 
bring  him  nearer  to  their  hearts.  But  his  fond- 
ness for  reading,  in  the  intervals  of  labor,  plainly 
showed  them  whither  turned  the  bias  of  his 
mind.  The  wants  of  his  body  were  indeed 
v/ell  supplied  ;  but  his  inquisitive  mind  panted 
for  something  higher. 

His  former  classical  teacher  having  opened 
a  school  at  Rocky  Springs,  in  1824  he  resumed 
his  studies.  After  having  reviewed  some  of 
the  Latin  authors  previously  read ;  he  entered 
on  the  study  of  the  Greek  language ;  and  in 
two  years  became  a  correct  Greek  scholar. 
Now  for  the  first  time  he  viewed  the  word  of 
life   in   its  original  dress.     Or,  to  change  the 


20  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

figure,  now  he  drank  the  water  of  life,  as  it 
flowed  unmixed  from  its  own  pure  fountain. 
Such,  at  that  early  period,  was  the  prevailing 
bias  of  his  mind,  that  he  turned,  with  inexpress- 
ible avidity,  from  the  sparkling  wit  of  Horace, 
or  the  melting  tenderness  of  Virgil,  or  the  full 
flowing  periods  of  Cicero,  to  the  simple  un- 
varnished story  of  Christ  crucified.  With  a 
pleasure  the  classics  never  yielded  him  before, 
he  read  the  narrative  of  the  Evangelist  John 
and  that  of  Luke  in  his  Acts  of  the  Apostles. 
The  time  spent  in  pondering  over  these  sacred 
authors,  which  he  regarded  as  among  his  best 
days,  gave  him  a  more  lively  interest  in  gospel 
truth  ;  and  laid  the  Bible  nearer  to  his  heart. 

In  1826,  M.  P.  Evins,  Esq.  declined  teaching 
at  Rocky  Spring,  on  account  of  ill-health ;  and 
young  Pearson's  studies  were  again  interrupted 
for  several  months.  His  preceptor,  on  recover- 
ing his  health,  opened  a  school  at  Poplar  Spring, 
which  Pearson  attended  for  five  months;  and 
during  that  period  reviewed  his  classical  studies. 
Now  with  a  heavy  heart,  full  of  grateful  recol- 
lections, he  bade  adieu  to  his  worthy  and 
amiable  preceptor,  whose  smile  he  had  shared 
for  four  whole  years ;  and  whose  guiding  hand 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  21 

had  led  him  through  the  fields  and  groves  and 
along  the  streams  of  classic  story.  On  memo- 
ry's list  of  faithful,  useful  friends,  among  the 
highest,  stood  the  name  of  Matthew  F.  Evins, 
Esq.,  engraved  in  characters  which  death  could 
not  efface. 

His  studies  are  now  to  cease  for  two  whole 
years.  The  first  of  which  (1827)  he  was  em- 
ployed on  his  father's  farm  ;  the  second  (1828) 
he  was  engaged  as  a  teacher  at  Poplar  Spring. 
In  his  own  neighborhood,  where  Kis  father  had 
lived  more  than  seven  years,  and  where  he  had 
been  a  pupil  at  least  four  years,  he  is  appointed 
instructer  in  the  Poplar  Spring  Academy,  when 
he  had  just  completed  his  seventeenth  year. 
This  fact  shows  distinctly  in  what  estimation 
his  own  neighborhood  held  his  talents,  his 
attainments,  and  his  steadiness.  Instead  of  dis- 
appointing he  exceeded  their  expectations  ;  and 
the  hazardous  experiment  of  that  year  more 
fully  developed  his  character,  and  raised  him 
higher  in  public  confidence. 

At  the  close  of  the  year  he  resigned  his  sta- 
tion in  the  Poplar  Spring  Academy,  in  favor  of 
Rev.  J.  L.  Kennedy,  with  whom  he  prosecuted 
the  study  of  the  Greek  language,  and  reviewed  ^ 


22  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

part  of  the  Latin  classics.  With  the  same 
teacher  he  studied  Algebra  and  Geometry,  A 
habit  of  fixed  attention  already  acquired,  close 
application  increasing  with  the  necessity  that 
demanded  it,  an  untiring  perseverance  that  no 
difficulty  could  thwart,  soon  made  him  familiar 
with  those  sciences.  Besides,  his  native  love 
of  truth  gave  him  an  exquisite  relish  for  mathe- 
matical demonstration.  Here  he  found  truth, 
arrayed  in  her  own  simple  dress,  shining  in  her 
own  peculiar  beauties.  In  the  progress  of  his 
studies,  besides  stated  exercises  in  declamation, 
he  wrote  essays  on  a  variety  of  subjects,  and 
acquired  the  habit  of  expressing  his  thoughts 
with  perspicuity  and  ease. 

At  an  early  period,  Pearson  became  a  mem- 
ber of  a  Bible  class,  under  the  care  of  his  faith- 
ful and  beloved  pastor,  the  Rev.  M.  Dickson. 
Of  all  the  classes  with  which  he  had  been  here- 
tofore united,  this  was  to  him  the  most  delight- 
ful. The  moving  narratives,  the  sublime  doc- 
trines, the  divine  precepts  of  the  Bible,  in  their 
turns,  occupied  his  attention ;  and  were  fixed 
ill  his  memory,  his  mind,  and  his  heart.  This 
kind  of  intellectual,  rather  evangelical  training, 
led  him  more  carefully  and  profoundly  to  search 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  23 

for  truth,  and  to  admire  and  love  it  more  when 
found.  His  lessons  were  studied  with  unusual 
care,  and  deeply  impressed  on  a  retentive  mem- 
ory. Hence  before  he  reached  his  twentieth 
year,  he  was  familiar  with  every  part  of  his 
Bible. 

When  the  Bible  class  was  succeeded  by  a 
Sabbath  school,  he  was  first  a  pupil,  afterwards 
a  teacher.  In  each  situation,  he  manifested,  in 
a  high  degree,  the  determined  spirit  of  one  who 
was  resolved  to  become  thoroughly  acquainted 
with  the  whole  of  the  word  of  God.  He  care- 
fully observed  and  cheerfully  discharged  every 
duty  growing  out  of  his  relation  to  the  Bible 
class  and  Sabbath  school.  When  a  pupil  he 
was  not  dumb,  while  the  song  of  praise  was 
sung.  One  of  his  juvenile  companions  recol- 
lects, that  hearing  Jefferson's  voice,  awakened 
in  him  a  desire  and  determination  to  sing. 
The  sight  of  a  boy  smaller  than  himself,  fear- 
lessly and  zealously  singing  the  praises  of  God, 
overcame  his  bashfulness:  and  thenceforward 
he  followed  his  example. 

When  a  Teacher  in  the  Sabbath  school,  be- 
sides suitable  remarks  and  explanations,  he 
occasionally  delivered  appropriate  and  impress- 
ive exhortations. 


CHAPTER    II. 

Notwithstanding  his  early  acquaintance 
with  the  Bible  and  his  correct  moral  habits,  he 
did  not  join  in  the  communion  of  the  church, 
until  he  had  entered  on  his  twenty-first  year. 
To  use  his  own  language,  the  cause  of  this  de- 
lay was:  '*!  do  not  recollect  any  one  sermon, 
or  any  particular  book,  or  any  passage  of  Scrip- 
ture, that  has  had  more  effect  upon  me  than 
another.  But  if  I  have  been  rightly  awakened, 
it  has  been  by  these  and  other  means  combined. 
Neither  can  I  point  to  any  particular  time  or 
place,  when  or  where,  a  sudden  change  was 
wrought.  If  I  am  indeed  renewed,  the  change 
has  been  gradual."  He  adds,  "And  I  must 
confess,  when  I  joined  the  Church,  the  exer- 
cises of  my  mind  were  not  such  as  I  wished 
them  to  be.  The  principal  motive  which 
prompted  me  to  that  act,  was  that  I  felt  it  to  be 
my  duty."  As  he  knew  neither  the  time  nor 
the  place  of  his  conversion,  he  all  along  doubted 
whether   he   had    been    actually   regenerated. 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  25 

Hence  he  hesitated  to  join  himself  publicly  to 
the  disciples  of  Christ ;  until  his  touching  com- 
mand, "  Do  this  in  remembrance  of  me,"  came 
down  upon  his  conscience  and  heart  with  a 
power  which  he  could  no  longer  resist. 

When  he  attached  himself  to  the  church,  no 
one  doubted  his  piety  but  himself.  So  con- 
scientious had  he  been  from  his  infancy,  so 
careful  to  avoid  evil,  so  fond  of  retirement,  so 
partial  to  his  Bible,  so  much  pleased  with  the 
company  of  the  pious,  that  several  judicious 
friends,  who  knew  him  intimately,  conjectured 
that  he  was  sanctified  from  his  birth.  This 
however  was  not  his  own  opinion ;  for  in  search- 
ing for  evidence  of  piety,  about  the  time  he  be- 
came a  member  of  the  church,  he  says:  "one 
thing  I  can  observe,  that  my  affections  are  set 
on  different  objects  from  those  which  once  en- 
grossed my  thoughts.  In  this  opinion  he  was 
confirmed,  by  a  farther  knowledge  of  himself 
and  the  character  of  a  Christian  delineated  in 
the  w^ord  of  God.  The  year,  in  which  Mr. 
Pearson  joined  the  church,  there  was  a  revival 
at  Nazareth.  He  attended  every  interesting 
meeting  within  his  reach.  He  w^as  deeply  con- 
cerned, because  he  did  not  feel  as  others  felt. 


26  SOUTHERN     CHRISTIAN. 

He  longed  to  awake,  amidst  all  the  horrors  of 
conviction.  But  to  his  daily  regret,  he  remained 
in  a  great  measure  unmoved.  He  saw  others 
alarmed  first,  and  afterwards  rejoicing  in  hope; 
and  he  devoutly  wished  to  be  of  their  number. 
He  prayed  for  the  terrors  of  conviction ;  but 
they  came  not.  He  expected  to  undergo  some 
remarkable  change;  but  he  hoped  in  vain.  The 
time  of  refreshing  passed  away;  and  left  him, 
as  he  feared,  among  the  unconverted.  Then  it 
was,  that  he  was  brought  low;  and,  in  the  most 
profound  humility,  resolved  to  join  himself  to 
the  Lord,  in  an  everlasting  covenant.  This  re- 
solution was,  no  doubt,  strengthened  by  the  pe- 
rusal of  Dodridge's  "Rise  and  Progress  of  Reli- 
gion," which  he  had  just  finished. 

I  have  been  particular  in  recording  these 
facts,  not  only  because  truth  required  them,  but 
also  because  the  experience  of  many  others  de- 
mands the  encouragement  they  afford.  '  The 
tree  is  ever  known  best  by  its  fruit' ;  and  piety 
is  best  proved  by  its  daily  influence  over  the 
heart  and  life.  A  consciencious  regard  to  the 
Divine  will  in  every  thing,  an  habitual  fear  of 
offending,  a  deep  sense  of  unworthiness,  re- 
nouncing all  merit  in  good  deeds,  a  reliance  on 


SOUTHERN     CHRISTIAN.  27 

Christ  alone  for  salvation,  an  habitual  and  in- 
creasing panting  after  holiness;  these  are  the 
only  evidences  of  genuine  godliness,  on  which 
any  one  ought  to  rely.  If  he  know  the  time 
and  place  of  his  conversion,  that  knowledge  will 
avail  him  nothing  in  his  Christian  course,  with- 
out present  evidence  of  piety.  In  the  very 
nature  of  things,  no  Christian  can  rely  securely 
on  past  experience,  without  present  demonstra- 
tions of  sincerity.  It  is  beyond  all  doubt  certain, 
that  genuine  piety  will  advance  ;  if  it  advance, 
it  will  become  more  apparent;  when  it  does  not 
appear  in  the  heart  and  life,  its  very  existence 
is  doubtful;  in  such  circumstances  therefore  it 
would  be  unreasonable  and  perilous  to  depend 
on  past  experience. 

Besides  it  is  doubtful,  whether  there  are  any 
among  professing  Christians,  who  know  pre- 
cisely  the  moment  of  their  regeneration.  They 
can,  perhaps,  date  the  moment  when  the  hope 
of  eternal  life  commenced;  but  their  regenera- 
tion might  have  taken  place  previously.  Farther, 
at  the  time  of  regeneration,  they  are  not  so 
well  acquainted  M^ith  its  nature  and  properties, 
as  to  be  competent  judges  whether  that  change 
has  passed  on  them.     We  may  add,  the  change 


28  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

effected  is  imperfect  and  not  so  complete  as 
was  anticipated;  and  therefore  not  so  visible  to 
the  person  who  has  experienced  it  as  he  desires. 
When,  therefore,  the  renewed  man  looks  back 
to  the  season  of  his  conversion,  he  often  fails  to 
find  all  that  lucid  and  satisfactory  evidence 
which  he  wishes ;  hence  he  doubts  about  the 
time  as  well  as  the  reality  of  his  conversion. 
Moreover,  the  best  and  the  most  judicious 
Christians  are  the  most  apt  to  suspect  the  sin- 
cerity and  reality  of  their  past  frames  and  exer- 
cises. For  these  and  other  reasons,  there  are 
doubtless  found  among  the  children  of  God, 
some  who  cannot  point  to  the  precise  moment 
of  their  conversion.  Among  such,  too,  we  often 
find  the  most  humble,  zealous,  and  exemplary 
Christians.  Perhaps  their  compassionate  Father, 
who  knows  their  frame,  has  left  them  involved 
in  uncertainty  respecting  the  time  of  their  con- 
version, that  they  may  strive  more  constantly 
to  make  their  calling  and  election  sure- 

About  the  middle  of  March,  1830,  Mr.  Pear- 
son became  a  member  of  the  church  at  Naza- 
reth ;  before  the  close  of  the  same  month,  he 
commenced  writing  a  concise  history  of  his  past 
life:  deeming  it  essentially  necessary  (to   use 


SOUTHERN     CHRISTIAN.  2U 

his  own  language)  to  keep  a  correct  account  of 
the  principal  transactions  of  his  life,  not  only  for 
his  own  satisfaction  while  living,  but  for  that 
of  posterity  when  dead.  This  sketch  has  fur- 
nished materials  for  the  pages  already  passed 
over.  At  the  same  time  he  commenced  a  jour- 
nal, which  will  form  the  outline  of  the  Narra- 
tive for  the  two  next  years. 

About  this  time,  having  heard  an  account  of 
the  College  at  Knoxville,  Tennessee,  which  at- 
tracted his  attention,  with  the  consent  of  his 
parents,  he  was  determined  to  repair  thither 
immediately.  This  intention,  however,  was  re- 
linquished for  six  months,  in  compliance  with 
the  earnest  solicitation  of  Dr.  Evins,  and  seve- 
ral of  his  neighbors,  to  open  a  school  in  their 
vicinity.  In  this  School  his  natural  gravity, 
mingled  with  mildness  and  patience,  secured  the 
respect  of  all  his  pupils;  and  his  unceasing  con- 
cern for  their  intellectual,  moral,  and  spiritual 
improvement,  as  readily  gained  their  affectionate 
regard.  The  interest  which  the  community 
took  in  the  continuance  of  the  school,  is 
strongly  evinced  by  an  incident  which  occurred, 
that  for  a  short  time  interrupted  its  progress. 

When  the  house,  in  which  the  school  was 
3* 


30  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

kept,  was  consumed  by  fire,  in  a  very  few  days 
a  new  one  was  erected.  As  there  was  a  family 
living  in  the  school-house,  the  school  was 
opened  at  Mr.  Lathrop's.  In  about  two  weeks 
after  its  commencement,  the  family  occupying 
the  school-house  removed;  the  next  day  the 
teacher  and  his  pupils  took  possession.  The 
day  following,  which  was  Saturday,  Mr.  Pear- 
son repaired  to  his  school-house  to  make  some 
preparations  for  the  better  accommodation  of 
his  pupils,  the  next  week;  but  the  building  was 
reduced  to  ashe?,  and  several  of  the  neighbors 
were  already  engaged  in  preparing  and  collect- 
ing materials  for  a  new  one.  On  Monday  the 
house  was  raised;  on  Tuesday  completed  so 
far  that  the  school  began  its  operations  on 
Wednesdav.  Such  a  conflagration,  in  ordinary 
circumstances,  would  have  destroyed  the  school, 
as  well  as  the  house.  But  this  unexpected  fire 
served  only  to  warm  the  hearts  of  his  friends ; 
and  give  fresh  lustre  to  the  name  of  the  modest 
preceptor. 

About  this  time,  a  deeper  interest  in  the  wel- 
fare of  the  Sabbath  school  at  Nazareth  was 
'generally  felt  by  the  members  of  the  church; 


SOUTHERN     CHRISTIAN.  31 

a  well  selected  library  was  procured,  and  Pear- 
son was  appointed  librarian.  This  was  an 
office  which  exactly  suited  his  taste.  It  put  in 
his  hands  a  choice  selection  ©f  books,  suited  at 
once  to  enlarge  the  mind  and  improve  the  heart 
of  a  young  man,  sincerely  devoted  to  the  ser- 
vice of  his  Redeemer.  In  the  midst  of  his  ju- 
venile library,  he  had  an  opportunity  at  once 
of  extending  his  researches  after  biblical  truth, 
and  seeing  its  power  and  glory  manifested  in 
the  lives  of  others.  During  this  period,  he  read 
the  memoirs  of  Leigh  Richmond  with  uncom- 
mon pleasure.  This  volume,  I  have  no  doubt, 
gave  an  expansion  to  his  heart,  which  it  had 
never  felt  before.  The  tract  of  the  Dairyman^ s 
Daughter  had  already  found  a  warm  place  in 
his  bosom,  which  served,  like  the  morning  star, 
to  usher  in  the  bright  sun  which  followed  it. 
Closing  the  interesting  volume,  and  clasping  it 
to  his  heart,  he  said,  "  I  will  be  Leigh  Rich- 
mond." And  many  a  prayer  did  he  send  to 
heaven,  that  he  might  have  such  a  heart  a^ 
Leigh  Richmond  had.  It  is  thus,  that  a  Brain 
erd  produced  a  Martin,  and  a  Richmond  a  Pear 
son.  "  One  generation  of  the  righteous  passeth 
away,  and  another  cometh.     So  true  is  the  pro- 


3J  S  O  U  T  H  K  R  N     CHRISTIAN. 

mise  recorded  amidst  the  annals  of  mortality : 
The  children  of  thy  servants  shall  continue,  and 
their  seed  shall  be  established  before  thee.  Abel 
is  not  the  only  departed  saint,  who,  being  dead, 
yet  speaketh.  Leigh  Richmond,  on  earth,  is  no 
more;  but  he  yet  speaketh.  Jefferson  Pear- 
son's voice  is  heard  no  more,  but  his  spirit  yet 
lives,  and  yet  speaks  in  the  circle  of  his  nume- 
rous friends,  and  in  the  congregations  he  once 
addressed. 

Near  the  close  of  the  last  quarter  of  his 
school,  he  attended  a  camp-meeting  at  Naza- 
retli ;  and  after  the  expiration  of  the  term  for 
which  he  had  engaged  to  teach,  he  spent  two 
days  at  another  at  Fairview.  At  these  meet- 
ings he  had  pleasant  fellowship  with  his  Christ- 
ian brethren  ;  and  felt  an  increasing  desire  '  to 
spend  and  be  spent  for  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 
They  had  also  a  happy  influence  on  his  mind, 
in  relation  to  the  separation  which  was  about 
to  take  place  between  him  and  his  father's 
family,  on  going  to  college. 

He  had,  indeed,  boarded  from  home,  first  at 
his  uncle  White's,  when  he  attended  Mr.  Had- 
den's  school,  at  Poplar  Spring;  afterwards 
with  Mrs.  Evins  of  the  same  place.     While  at 


SOUTHERN     CHRISTIAN.  33 

Rocky  Spring,  he  boarded  in  the  family  of 
Sheriff  Miller ;  and  also  for  some  time  at  the 
house  of  Mrs.  Moore,  in  the  same  neighbor- 
hood. But  all  this  time,  he  was  within  the 
liniits  of  the  congregation  in  which  he  had 
lived  from  his  infancy,  and  among  his  relatives 
and  friends ;  it  was  in  his  power,  also,  to  be  at 
home  at  the  close  of  every  week. 

But  now  he  is  about  to  leave  his  father's  roof, 
to  dwell  for  a  time  among  strangers.  His  sister 
is  now  almost  grown,  and  ardently  attached  to 
her  only  brother;  his  grandmother  now  lives 
in  the  family,  and  doats  on  her  grandson ;  his 
father  and  mother  love  him,  at  the  least,  as 
much  as  parents  ought  to  love  a  son  :  and  Jef- 
ferson, from  his  he:\rt,  reciprocates  all  their 
sympathies.  But  he  counsels  not  with  flesh 
and  blood.  On  Tuesday,  the  19th  of  October, 
1830,  amidst  a  conflict  of  contending  emotions, 
he  turned  his  face  towards  Tennessee,  and  on 
the  23d,  safely  reached  Knoxville.  The  roads 
and  weather  were  fine,  and  nothing  interrupted 
his  progress  ;  except  an  occasional  pause  to  ad- 
mire the  stupendous  works  of  God,  and  thence 
devoutly  adore  their  more  stupendous  Author. 


CHAPTER  III. 


Mr.  Pearson  arrived  at  Knoxville  on  Satur- 
day evening,  about  the  close  of  twilight.  On 
Sabbath  morning  he  awaked  amidst  the  new 
scenes  and  prospects  of  a  town,  in  which  he 
expected  for  months  to  dwell.  Never  before 
had  he  dwelt  within  the  precincts  of  a  village. 
In  the  country  he  had  been  used  to  the  stillness 
of  the  Sabbath  morn,  the  pensive  ramble  in  the 
forest;  in  the  town,  the  confused  murmur  of 
many  voices,  the  sound  of  busy  feet  of  men  and 
horses,  and  rattling  of  carriages,  all  conspire.to 
discompose  his  spirits,  andimpair  the  solemnity 
of  the  Sabbath  day.  He  looks  abroad — much 
around  him  tells  him  there  is  no  Sabbath  there ; 
but  a  iew  edifices,  decent  but  not  magnificent, 
remind  him  that  the  God  of  the  Sabbath  is 
worshipped  there.  The  sun,  diffusing  his  mild 
rays  over  the  village,  has  nearly  reached  his 
zenith,  when  the  sound  of  church-going  bells 
invites  to  the  house  of  prayer.  To  the  glad- 
dening sound,  the  heart  of  our  youthful  stranger 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  35 

turns;  he  throws  himself  amidst  the  crowd,  and 
with  the  moving  current,  reaches  the  temple  of 
God.  Now  he  feels  at  home.  Many  an  hum- 
ble, serious  face,  the  proper  index  of  a  devout 
heart,  taught  him  that  the  grace  of  God  was  not 
wanting  there.  Their  features  all  were  strange ; 
not  so  their  hearts.  They  seemed  to  feel  as  he 
had  felt.  In  them,  therefore,  he  began  to  feel 
an  interest,  which  was  much  increased  by  that 
which,  at  the  close  of  the  meeting,  was  shown 
by  some  for  him.  His  youthful  visage,  over 
which  hung  the  shades  of  reverential  awe,  his 
fixed  attention  which  nothing  could  divert,  his 
straight-forward  look,  which  seemed  to  look  at 
'•  something  beyond  the  world,"  awakened  more 
than  furiosity  in  the  heart  of  many  a  stranger 
that  day.  As  he  slowly  and  gravely  left  the 
house  of  God,  many  an  eye  was  turned  on  him, 
and  often  was  the  question  repeated,  "  What 
good  young  man  is  that?"  Soon  he  found 
friends  in  Knoxville.  All  pious  hearts  instinc- 
tively turned  to  him. 

In  about  a  week  after  his  arrival,  he  entered 
the  junior  class  in  college,  and  pursued  his 
studies  with  his  usual  perseverance  and  zeal. 
He  soon  gained   the   confidence   both  of  the 


36  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN, 

faculty  and  his  fellow  students.  The  repeated 
reports  of  the  former,  show  distinctly  the  esti- 
mation in  which  he  was  held  by  them.  The 
fact,  that  within  three  months  after  he  was 
united  to  the  library  society  to  which  he  be- 
longed, he  was  unanimously  chosen  president, 
proves  how  much  he  was  loved  and  respected  by 
the  latter. 

But  we  turn  from  the  diligent,  conscientious, 
and  successful  student,  to  view  him  as  the  hum- 
ble, devout,  and  exemplary  Christian.  Hereto- 
fore his  piety  was  in  a  great  measure  locked  up 
in  his  own  breast.  It  appeared  not  before  the 
world,  otherwise  than  as  it  was  seen  in  a  uniform, 
conscientious,  and  unblemished  morality.  Taci- 
turn to  a  fault,  he  never  spoke  of  his  experience. 
Like  the  sensitive  plant,  he  instinctively  recoiled 
from  the  hand  that  would  dare  to  uncover  the 
secrets  of  his  heart.  This  excessive  reserve 
sprung  partly  from  his  natural  temperament, 
and  partly  from  his  strong  aversion  to  ostenta- 
tion. With  the  modest  Cowper,  he  could  have 
said  truly:   In  my  soul  I  loath  all  affectation. 

But  the  dim,  flickering  lamp  that  shone  with- 
in, is  destined  to  brighten  and  shed  its  rays  all 
around.     Soon  after  his  arrival  at  Knoxville,  he 


SOUTHERN     CHRISTIAN.  37 

joined,  in  celebrating  the  Lord's  Supper,  with 
the  First  Presbyterian  Church  ;  and  on  the  next 
Lord's  day  he  enjoyed  the  same  privilege  in  the 
Second  Presbyterian  Church.  Both  these  sea- 
sons were  deeply  affecting  to  him.  They  seemed 
to  turn  his  mind  upon  itself.  They  urged  the 
searching  question,  Am  I  born  of  the  Spirit? 

Memory  retraces  the  past,  conscience  inspects 
the  present,  fancy  surveys  the  future.  Imper- 
fections, negligence,  forgetfulness,  ingratitude, 
mingled  with  numberless  sins,  crowd  together. 
Flis  present  faith  is  feeble,  his  love  languid,  his 
hope  faltering.  Doubts  on  the  whole  prevail. 
He  feels  that  something  more  must  be  felt, 
something  more  done.  While  thus  agitated,  a 
letter  arrives  from  a  distant  friend,  prescribing 
the  very  course  he  ought  to  take.  He  receives 
it  as  a  message  from  heaven,  and  follows  forth- 
with the  salutary  directions  it  contains.  He 
now  commences  the  habit  of  retiring  every 
evening  for  secret  prayer ;  which,  according  to 
his  own  confession,  had  been  heretofore  per- 
formed after  lying  down, — negligently  of  course 
performed  !  Now  his  anxieties  increase,  he  is 
beginning  to  be  in  good  earnest.  It  is  indeed 
winter  ;  the  sun  had  nearly  reached  its  solstice ; 

4  ^^ 


38  SOUTHERN    CHRISTIAN. 

but  the  temperature  of  the  season  has  not  chilled 
the  anxious  heart  of  young  Pearson.  In  a  few 
days  he  comes  to  the  resolution  to  rise  before 
the  dawn  of  day,  to  pour  out  his  heart  to  God, 
in  prayer.  A  duty  which,  he  adds,  he  had 
before  discharged  before  rising. 

Now  it  was,  for  the  first  time,  that  he  beo-an  to 
show  strong  symptoms  of  spiritual  life.  Out- 
Avardly  indeed  he  adorned  the  doctrine  of  God 
his  Saviour,  in  all  things  ;  but  within,  there  was 
a  sad  want  of  spiritual  vigor*and  warmth.  Re- 
ligion may  and  ought  to  be  cherished  on  the 
pillow.  A  pious  man  may  truly  say:  I  shall  be 
satisfied  as  with  marrow  and  fatness,  when  I 
remember  thee  on  my  bed.  But  if,  in  ordinary 
cases,  it  rest  there  and  proceed  no  farther,  I 
fear  it  will  slumber  always.  No  wonder  he 
heretofore,  in  religious  matters,  kept  silence, 
for  the  fire  did  not  burn  within.  In  prayer  he 
obtained  relief  and  comfort.  His  lips  were 
now  opened.  Out  of  the  abundance  of  a  full 
heart  he  could  now  readily  speak. 


CHAPTER    IV. 

A  NEW  era  now  commences  in  the  de- 
velopment of  the  character  of  Jefferson  Pear- 
son. Such  a  revolution  took  place  in  his  heart 
during  the  winter  of  1830  and  1831,  that  onmy 
first  perusal  of  his  journal,  I  dated  his  piety 
from  that  period.  One  of  his  letters  however, 
in  which  he  refers  to  the  period  of  his  conver- 
sion, induced  me  afterwards  to  conclude  that  it 
had  most  probably  taken  place  before  he  went 
to  Knoxville.  Besides,  within  a  few  months 
before  his  death,  he  had  a  free  conversation 
with  a  particular  friend,  respecting  his  past  ex- 
perience, after  which  he  was  asked  whether  he 
supposed  his  conversion  had  occurred  before  or 
after  joining  in  the  communion  of  the  church? 
He  replied  without  hesitation,  "  That  if  renew- 
ed at  all,  the  change  had  taken  place  before  that 
time.".  He  added,  "  That  truly  his  views  were 
greatly  enlarged,  that  his  feelings  were  much 
more  intense,  his  comforts  much  increased, 
while  in  Knoxville;  but  he  notwithstanding 
believed,  that  he  had  previously  similar  views, 


40  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

and  feelings,  and  comforts,  in  a  lower  degree." 
In  cases  of  this  sort,  with  regard  to  him- 
self, the  judgment  of  a  judicious  man  (and  such 
was  Jefierson  Pearson)  may  be  more  safely 
relied  on  than  that  of  any  other. 

He  is  thoroughly  acquainted  with  his  own 
views  and  feelings  ;  and  the  comparison  between 
his  exercises  at  different  periods,  is  one  which 
he  alone  can  make.  Hence  we  can  safely  con- 
fide in  the  opinion  of  an  honest  man,  respect- 
ing his  own  experience  and  the  probable  season 
of  his  conversion.  And  hence  we  may  con- 
clude, that  J.  Pearson's  judgment  concerning 
the  time  of  his  conversion,  was  correct.  This 
view,  besides,  corresponds  precisely  with  the 
word  of  God,  in  which  the  commencement  of 
piety  in  the  heart  is  compared  to  a  grain  of 
mustard  seed,  to  a  little  leaven  fermenting  in  a 
large  quantity  of  flour,  and  to  the  rising  sun. 
"  The  path  of  the  just  is  as  the  shining  light 
that  shineth  more  and  more  unto  the  perfect 
day."  There  is  first  the  dawn,  gradually 
brightening  until  the  sun  appears,  then  w^ith 
steady  pace  he  pursues  his  resplendent  course, 
until  in  a  full  blaze  of  glory  he  reaches  noon. 

After    some    sharp    conflicts,    some   painful 


SOUTHERN     CHRISTIAN 


41 


doubts,  and  distressing  forebodings,  young  Pear- 
son at  length,  most  unworthy  as  he  felt  himself 
to  be,  fell  at  the  feet  of  Christ  crucified.     Here- 
tofore he  had  known  himself  but  in  part,  and 
doubtless    relied    too  much  on  his  exemplary 
life  ;  now,    acquainted    with    the   evils    of  his 
heart,  and  feeling  the  burden  of  his  sinfulness, 
he   rested   his   hope  entirely   on  the  Lamb  of 
God,  that  taketh   away   the  sin  of  the  world. 
The  peace  of  God,  that  passeth  all  understand- 
ing, began  now  to  take  possession  of  his  heart 
and  his  mind,  in  Christ  Jesus.     His  hope  was 
much  strengthened  by  his  intimate  acquaintance 
with  the  doctrines  of  his  Bible,  and  the  habit 
which  he  about  this  time  formed,  of  reviewing 
every  evening  all  that  he  had  thought,  or  pur- 
posed, or  felt,  or  done,  during  the  day.     Being 
at  once  familiar  with  his  own  heart  and  the  pe- 
culiarities   of  the    character   of  a  Christian,  as 
found  in   the  word  of  God,  the  Spirit  of  God 
began  distinctly  to  witness  with  his  spirit  that 
he  was  a  child  of  God. 

The  doubt  about  the  reality  of  his  regenera- 
tion being  now  quelled,  and  believing  that  God 
had  called  him  by  his  grace,  he  daily  becomes 
more  fervent  in  spirit.     Thenceforward  it  might 


42  SOUTHERN     CHRISTIAN. 

be  truly  said  of  him  he  was  "a  devout  man.^^ 
On  one  occasion  we  find  him  rejoicing  that  he 
occupies  a  room  alone,  that  he  may  have  full 
liberty  to  draw  near  to  God,  at  the  hour  of  retire- 
ment. When  he  has  one  or  more  fellow-students 
lodged  with  him  in  the  same  room,  he  retires 
morning  and  evening  to  the  house  of  God,  to 
vent  the  pious  feelings  of  his  heart  in  commu 
nioa  with  heaven.  Now  truly  the  spirit  of  the 
gospel,  and  the  spirit  of  Christ,  inform  and  in- 
vigorate his  whole  soul.  Now  with  regard  to 
the  events  of  the  passing  day  or  the  occurrences 
of  future  life,  he  has  but  one  question  to  ask  : 
Lord  what  wilt  thou  have  me  to  do  ? 

He  again  resumes  the  employment  of  a  Sab- 
bath school  instructer;  and  is  among  the 
foremost  of  those  who  are  instant  in  season  and 
out  of  season.  Now  he  begins,  in  earnest,  to 
desire  to  preach  the  gospel.  Finding  it  glad 
tidings  of  great  joy  to  his  own  heart,  he  longs 
to  impart  its  consolations  to  others.  Regarding 
Christ  as  his  best  friend,  he  wishes  all  around 
to  admire,  adore,  and  love  him.  He  had  indeed 
before  hoped  at  some  future  period,  to  be  quali- 
fied to  preach  the  gospel ;  but  now  his  whole 
heart  turns  to  the  blessed  work.  As  a  good  and 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  43 

dutiful  son,  he  first  consults  his  parents  ;  and  is 
gratified  to  find  that  tlieir  wishes  accord  with 
his  own.  Then,  with  proper  respect  for  his 
first  teacher,  he  communicates  to  him  his  feel- 
ings and  views,  asking  at  once  for  his  prayers 
and  advice.  This  letter  containing  this  informa- 
tion leads  us  so  directly  into  the  heart  of  the 
writer,  that  we  think  best,  by  giving  a  full  copy 
of  it,  to  allow  him  to  speak  for  himself  It  is 
dated 

^'  Knoxville,  Tenn.  Jan.  \st,  1831. 

"  Dear  Friend, — 

"  I  will  now  endeavor  to  comply  with  the  re- 
quest which  you  made  before  I  left  home,  that 
I  should  write  to  you,  stating  my  views  with 
respect  to  becoming  a  minister. 

"  In  the  first  place,  I  must  acknowledge  a  dif- 
fidence, which  I  have  too  often  manifested,  to 
converse  on  religious  subjects.  But  at  this 
time,  I  would  fain  cast  it  away,  and  try  to  lay 
open  before  you  the  secret  operations  of  the 
heart :  which  I  can  venture  to  do  with  less  back- 
wardness by  letter,  than  by  personal  conversa- 
tion. But,  I  fear,  it  will  be  difficult  to  present 
to  Vou  a  true  account  of  the  various  doubts,  fears; 


44  SOUTHERN     CHRISTIAN. 

hopes,  and  feelings,  which  agitate  my  mind.  The 
subject  of  becoming  a  minister  has  occupied  a 
chief  place  in  my  thoughts,  since  I  became  a 
member  of  the  church,  and  in  some  degree  be- 
fore, without  ever  coming  to  a  final  decision. 
This  indecision  has  rendered  me  uneasy ;  and 
does  so  still.  On  the  one  hand,  the  importance 
and  responsibility  of  the  office  deters  from, 
while  on  the  other,  a  sense  of  duty  urges  me  to, 
the  undertaking.  Fears  arise,  when  consider- 
ing such  texts  of  Scripture  as  say,  that  the  blood 
of  the  wicked  who  die  in  their  iniquity  unwarn- 
ed by  the  priest,  shall  be  required  at  his  hands. 
Again  there  is  encouragement  in  the  promise 
that  he  who  '  turns  many  to  righteousness,  shall 
shine  as  the  brightness  of  the  firmament,  and  as 
the  stars,  for  ever  and  ever.' 

"  Sometimes  I  fear  that  I  have  not  the  true 
religion  of  Jesus,  and  should  I  become  a  minis- 
ter, I  would  disgrace  the  office,  act  the  hypo- 
crite, and  be  as  a  goat  among  sheep.  At  other 
times  I  feel  cold  and  indifierent  on  the  subject, 
which  serves  to  strengthen  the  above  convic- 
tion. But  when  I  consider  the  command  :  '  Go 
into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to 
every  creature;' — and  recollect,  that  to  whom 


SOUTHERN    CHRISTIAN.  45 

much  is  given  of  him  shall  much  be  required, 
(though  I  would  not  boast,)  I  am  constrained  to 
say,  Here  am  I,  Lord  !  do  with  me  whatsoever 
seemeth  good  in  thy  sight.  Yet  when  I  am 
resolved  to  devote  myself  entirely  to  the  cause 
of  Christ,  then  doubts  arise  whether  I  am  doing 
it  from  pure  motives,  from  a  genuine  love  of 
souls  and  the  glory  of  God  ;  or  for  my  own 
convenience, "aggrandizement,  and  other  selfish 
motives. 

"If  I  were  completely  decided,  and  could 
believe  that  I  was  chosen  of  the  Lord  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry,  I  would  be  contented. 
Conscience  would  be  at  ease.  I  would  have  an 
object  in  view  in  pursuing  literature,  which 
would  render  my  studies  delightful.  Never- 
theless, I  would  expect  to  meet  with  persecu- 
tion from  the  world  ;  which,  however,  is  of 
small  weight  in  comparison  with  the  consola- 
tion, that  the  Lord  has  pronounced  a  blessing 
on  those  who  are  reviled  and  persecuted  for  his 
sake." 

Then  follows  the  extract  already  made  from 
this  letter  (page  24),  in  which  he  speaks  of  his 
uncertainty  about  the  precise  time  of  his  con- 
version. 


46  SOUTHERN     CHRISTIAN. 

While  thus  deeply  engaged  in  spiritual  af- 
fairs, he  was  incidentally  betrayed  into  a  fault, 
which  gave  him  much  pain.  When  he  was 
about  to  purchase  a  pair  of  shoes,  which  were 
offered  to  him  for  two  dollars,  without  sufficient 
reflection,  he  replied  he  could  obtain  as  good  a 
pair  for  one  dollar  seventy-five  cents.  The 
merchant,  without  hesitation,  permitted  him  to 
take  them  at  that  reduced  price.  #  On  retiring 
to  his  room  and  carefully  examining  the  shoes, 
he  was  convinced  that  they  were  worth  more 
than  he  had  given  for  them  ;  and  was  extremely 
mortified,  that  the  whole  transaction  had  the 
appearance  of  falsehood  and  covetousness. 
Immediately  he  confessed  his  sin  before  Him 
whose  eye  is  on  the  heart,  at  the  same  time  im- 
ploring his  aid,  to  give  him  courage  to  acknow- 
ledge it  to  the  man  whom  he  had  injured.  He 
rose  from  his  knees,  repaired  to  the  store,  can- 
didly confessed  his  fault,  and  made  ample 
restitution. 

This  indeed  was  a  small  incident;  but  it  fully 
lays  open  a  heart  in  which  there  was  no  guile. 
In  the  estimation  of  many,  the  offence  was  so 
small,  that  it  would  seem  to  indicate  a  sickly 
delicacy  of  moral  feeling,  to  notice  it  at  all. 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  47 

But  let  it  be  remembered  that  the  smallest  grain 
of  sand  can  form  the  big  tear  in  the  most  vigo- 
rous eye.  The  vaporing  hero  would  promptly 
s^y,  it  was  a  degrading  act.  But  magnanimity 
herself  may  defy  him  to  do  any  thing  greater, 
with  his  club,  his  pistols,  and  his  dirk. 

That  is  great  that  is  registered  in  heaven, — 
in  the  annals  of  the  brave  ;  that  act  is  great, 
however  it  appear  on  earth,  that  shall  be  had 
in  everlasting  remembrance.  A  Washinorton  ac- 
knowledging  his  error  to  an  antagonist,  who  had 
retorted  it  on  him  with  his  uplifted  cane,  is  a 
figure  that  will  far  transcend  in  comparison  the 
diminutive  Burr  scowling  with  a  vengeful  eye 
on  the  ruins  of  the  fallen  Hamilton.  Among 
little  dastardly  souls,  that  have  not  courage 
enough  to  confess  a  fault,  our  Pearson  lises,  as 
the  lofty  oak  over  the  meager  shrubs,  that 
dwindle  in  its  shadow. 

This  bitter  incident  proved  haply  benejficial 
afterwards.  It  led  our  soldier  of  the  Cross  into 
the  most  secret  folds  of  his  heart,  in  pursuit  of 
evils  which  might  lie  there  concealed.  In  this 
narrow  search,  he  made  discoveries  Avhich  filled 
him  with  horror.  From  the  monstrous  forms 
of  iniquity  which  now  appeared,  he  shrunk  back 


48  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

aghast !  Of  that  sad  day  he  thus  pathetically 
speaks :  '•  During  the  day  my  thoughts  were 
turned  on  sin,  from  which  mv  mind  recoiled, 
feeling  that  if  I  had  a  proper  sight  of  sin,  it 
would  takeaway  life.  Such  feelings,  however, 
had  I  on  this  occasion,  that  my  strength  failed 
and  I  was  ready  to  faint."  Among  the  evils 
which  that  day  brought  to  light,  was  spiritual 
pride  ;  which  had  been  probably  his  besetting 
sin.  Such  was  the  purity  of  his  morals,  that 
it  was  natural  enough  to  make  flattering  com- 
parisons between  himself  and  others.  The 
above  mentioned  occurrence  had  a  happy  ten- 
dency to  level  all  such  towering  conceits. 
Three  days  after,  he  says  with  a  sigh,  "I  con- 
tinued to  feel  the  burden  of  spiritual  pride ; 
which  consists  in  thinking  myself  better  than 
others ;  and  the  want  of  humility,  which  con- 
sists in  thinking  favorably  of  others  and  lowly 
of  one's-self"  Now  he  feels  in  every  nerve 
and  fibre  the  worth  of  a  Saviour.  Hence  he 
winds  up  the  paragraph  quoted,  by  the  most 
natural  inference:  "I  had  also  a  desire  to  trust 
all  to  Christ,  and  nothing  to  myself" 

Then  might  Pearson  have  said  truly:  when 
I  am  weak,  then  am  I  strong.     Weak  indeed  in 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  49 

native  power,  but  strong  in  the  grace  which  is 
in  Chriot  Jesus. 

About  this  time  another  instance  of  moral 
courage  occurred,  which  ought  not  to  pass  in 
silence.  While  reclining  on  his  bed  at  night, 
he  discovered  that,  in  an  adjacent  room,  some 
of  his  fellow-students  were  engaged  in  playing 
cards.  So  deeply  impressed  on  his  heart  was 
the  command,  'Thou  shalt  in  anywise  rebuke 
thy  neighbor  and  not  suffer  sin  upon  him,'  that 
he  could  not  close  his  eyes  in  sleep  until,  having 
sought  aid  from  Heaven,  he  had  repaired  to 
their  room  and  fearlessly  reproved  them.  This 
was  not  an  ebullition  of  enthusiasm ;  it  was  a 
deliberate  act.  It  was  not  the  reckless  hardi- 
hood of  insensibility;  it  was  the  delicate  con- 
sciousness of  one,  who  would  not  needlessly 
set  foot  upon  a  worm.  In  the  mild,  patient, 
unoffending  Pearson,  it  was  the  heroic  deed  of 
a  Christian. 

5 


CHAPTER    V. 

Thus  passed  the  winter  session  of  1830  and 
'31.  Of  our  young  Christian  it  may  be  well 
said:  he  was  *'not  slothful  in  business,  fervent 
in  spirit,  serving  the  Lord."  In  literature  his 
progress  was  steady  and  reputable.  In  self- 
knowledge,  in  the  science  of  salvation,  his  pro- 
ficiency was  still  more  apparent.  Among  the 
seasons  of  his  life,  that  winter  holds  a  distin- 
guished place.  It  brought  to  light  a  character 
which  had  heretofore  sought  the  shade  of  ob- 
scurity, and  dwelt  there.  It  may  be  regarded 
not  as  the  winter,  but  as  the  spring  of  his  spi- 
ritual existence.  Now  bloomed  the  flowers, 
which  were  an  earnest  of  future  fruits. 

Having  received  a  letter  from  his  father,  ex- 
pressing a  wish  that  he  would  spend  the  spring 
vacation  at  home,  at  the  close  of  the  session 
he  was  irj*  readiness  to  depart  for  South  Caro- 
lina. On  the  morning  of  the  first  day  of  the 
vacation,  which  was  Thursday,  he  left  Knox- 
ville,  and  orj  the  Tuesday  following  arrived  at 
his  father's  house.     This  was   prompt  indeed  ! 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  51 

At  every  step  he  felt  the  attractions  of  home ! 
But  did  he,  in  his  haste,  violate  the  Sabbath? 
No  !  When  the  Sabbath  came,  it  found  him  at 
rest.  Both  his  conscience  and  his  heart  revered 
the  will  of  the  Supreme;  and  he  did  "remem- 
ber the  Sabbath  day  to  keep  it  holy."  And  in 
its  successive  returns,  he  remembered  it  always. 
His  were  Sabbaths  indeed ! 

On  this  journey,  our  traveller  met  with  but 
one  occurrence  worthy  of  being  recounted  here. 
On  the  second  day,  he  overtook  a  stranger  on 
the  way, — a  young  man  like  himself  A  few 
interchanging  looks,  as  they  moved  along  toge- 
ther, raised  the  hope,  that  they  were  verily 
travelling  the  same  road,  and  had  a  higher 
destination  in  view  than  any  one  on  earth. 
There  is  a  sympathy  in  souls.  Theirs  met, 
almost  before  they  were  aware.  They  had  a 
common  friend;  that  friend  was  Jesus,  and 
through  him  their  spirits  m^et.  They  understood 
the  language  of  Canaan,  they  spoke  it;  and 
their  hearts  burned  within  them  by  the  way. 
They  parted;  but  they  remembered  the  feel- 
ings of  that  hour:  for  they  had  made  a  deep 
impression  on  their  hearts.  They  parted  ;  but 
it  was  in  the  hope  of  a  better  meeting.     Pear- 


52  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

son  is  on  his  way  home.     The  thought  of  home 

quickens  his  pace.     He  is  ready  to   sing  as  he 

hies  along: 

"  Home  !  sweet  home ! 
There's  no  place  like  home !" 

His  father,  his  grandmother,  his  mother,  and  his 
sister  are,  in  fancy,  all  before  him.  Oh,  the 
extatic  hope!  he  will  soon  embrace  them  all! 
But  amidst  these  anticipated  raptures,  one  drea- 
ry thought,  like  a  dark  cloud,  spreads  over  his 
mind,  and  all  is  gloom.  Ah!  he  sighs,  ah!  be- 
loved home  ;  but  there  is  no  family  altar  there! 
His  heart  aches,  while  he  dwells  in  sadness  on 
the  tremendous  imprecation  of  an  inspired  pro- 
phet: "Pour  out  thy  fury  on  the  heathen,  and 
the  families  that  call  not  on  thy  name!"  It  is 
like  the  thunder  of  Sinai  to  his  melting  heart. 
With  an  eye  raised  to  Heaven,  imploring  aid, 
he  resolves,  that  this  blasting  imprecation  shall, 
if  possible,  be  averted  from  his  beloved  home. 
But  what  can  he  do  ?  He  respects  his  father 
profoundly.  He  is  a  youth  without  experience, 
— and  diffidence  itself.  But  something  must  be 
done.  It  is  He  demands  it,  "who  giveth power 
to  the  faint;  and  to  them  who  have  no  might, 
increaseth  strength."      His  purpose  is   fixed; 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  53 

bvt  he  looks  upwards  for  support.  He  arrives 
at  home;  all  is  gladness  around.  Tears  flow 
apace;  but  not  such  as  sorrow  wrings  from  the 
heart.  The  sun  is  near  the  western  horizon, 
about  to  leave  the  earth  in  the  shades  of  night ; 
and  his  departing  rays  remind  Jefferson  of  the 
family  altar.  He  had  said  within  himself,  it 
must  be  erected  this  night.  But  how?  Who 
will  do  it?  Or  who  will  make  the  proposal 
to  do  it?  On  this  all-absorbing  subject,  he  had 
not  thouffht  alone.  His  mother's  anxieties  cor- 
responded  with  his  own.  The  proposal  comes 
from  her.  The  family  assemble.  The  Bible 
appears,  the  song  of  praise  is  sung,  and  Jeffer- 
son prays.  Before,  he  had  prayed  in  the  silent 
chamber,  in  the  solitary  church,  and  in  the 
shady  forest;  but  he  now  prays  in  the  midst  of 
those  he  loves,  and  verily  pours  out  his  full 
heart  to  God.  That  prayer  is  remembered 
still,  and  remembered  too  with  tears.  It 
was  an  answer  to  prayers,  which  none  but  God 
had  heard.  And  a  charming  earnest  of  a 
bountiful  supply  of  "a  spirit  of  grace  and  of 
supplication."  Here  was  a  little  group  min- 
gling hearts  together,  which  Heaven  saw  with 

pleasure. 

5* 


54  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

HaviVig  had,  through  the  grace  of  God,  reso- 
lution enough  to  pray  in  the  family  circle,  he 
now  entreats  his  father  to  assume  the  office  of 
priest  in  his  own  house,  and  offer  himself  the 
morning  and  evening  sacrifice.  His  arguments 
are  powerful  and  convincing;  they  go  through 
the  mind,  they  reach  the  heart.  And  arguments 
of  such  a  son,  on  such  a  subject,  must  have 
reached  the  heart.  There  were  great  difficul- 
ties in  the  way.  His  father  lived  on  a  public 
road,  and  frequently  had  company.  But  his 
son  modestly  maintained  that  those  difficulties 
could  be  surmounted,  and  strongly  hoped  that, 
by  the  grace  of  God,  they  would  be.  To  him 
it  appeared  to  be  inconsistent  to  make  a  profes- 
sion of  religion,  without  a  vigorous  and  perse- 
vering resolution  to  confess  Christ  before  men 
(when  duty  required  it)  on  all  occasions,  and  at 
all  times. 

Having  entered  into  the  spirit  of  the  tempe- 
rance reform,  he  was  very  solicitous  that  his 
father  should  become  a  member  of  a  tempe- 
rance society  lately  established  at  Nazareth ; 
and  thus  agree  to  banish  all  intoxicating  liquors 
from  his  house.  In  relation  to  this  subject  he 
thought  muchf  prayed  often,  and  held  several 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  55 

conversations  with  his  father.  So  prudent,  so 
respectful,  so  persevering  were  his  efforts,  that 
they  finally  prevailed.  Through  his  instrumen- 
tality, his  father,  at  length,  became  a  firm  and 
zealous  advocate  of  temperance.  After  an  ex- 
jjeriment  of  more  than  four  years,  he  still  re- 
joices in  looking  back  to  the  revolution  wrought 
in  his  views  at  that  period  by  the  salutary  influ- 
ence of  his  son. 

The  following  address,  delivered  first  in  a 
debating  society  at  Knoxville,  of  which  he  was 
a  member,  will  show  clearly  the  reasons  why 
he  was  so  zealous  a  patron  of  temperance  and 
temperance  associations.  The  question  discuss- 
ed was,  "Are  temperance  societies  calculated 
to  answer  the  purpose  for  which  they  were  in- 
tended ?" 

"  The  purpose  of  temperance  societies  is  evi- 
dently to  promote  temperance  and  counteract 
the  evils  of  intemperance,  and  thereby  promote 
the  happiness  of  man.  To  show  that  they  are 
calculated  to  answer  these  purposes,  let  us  draw 
a  parallel  between  the  evils  of  intemperance 
and  the  advantages  of  temperance ;  by  doing 
which  we  will  be  prepared  to  judge  whether  or 
not  temperance  societies,  on  the  principle   of 


56  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

entire  abstinence,  are  calculated  to  root  out  the 
evils  of  intemperance  and  advance  the  happiness 
of  man. 

*' Intemperance  destroys  health  and  comeli- 
ness, property  and  reputation,  friendship  and  do- 
mestic tranquillity.  All  these  are  preserved  by 
temperance.  The  one  destroys  the  minJ;  the 
other  improves  it.  The  one  converts  a  man 
into  a  beast;  the  other  makes  him  more  a  man. 
The  one  shortens  life;  the  other  prolongs  it. 
Such  a  contrast  might  be  lengthened  out  to 
almost  any  extent.  But  this  is  sufficient  to 
prove  that  temperance  associations  arc  calcu- 
lated to  promote  the  welfare  of  men,  if  they  can 
^check  or  repress  intemperance. 

"But  perhaps  it  will  be  said  that  a  temperance 
reform  may  be  brought  about  by  individual  ab- 
stinence, without  any  associations.  To  this  I 
would  reply,  that  individuals,  while  standing 
alone,  exert  comparatively  but  little  influence. 
But  let  them  be  united  in  a  society,  and  their 
influence  will  then  be  felt  individually,  collec- 
tively, and  effectually,  in  the  community  to 
which  they  belong.  If  an  enemy  should  invade 
our  country,  would  it  be  a  wise  policy  to  suffer 
every  individual  to  march  by  himself,  meet  the 


SOUTHERN     CHRISTIAN.  57 

enemy  where  he  pleased,  and  fight  him  in  his 
own  way?  By  this  means  the  enemy  woukl 
have  to  contend  with  a  disorganized  few,  and 
might  march  through  our  country,  conquering 
and  wasting  wherever  he  might  turn.  But  dif- 
ferent would  the  case  be  should  we  enlist  our- 
selves into  companies,  unite  our  strength,  and 
meet  the  foe  on  the  borders  of  our  land.  He 
would  then  feel  our  power,  and  be  driven  back 
in  confusion  and  dismay.  Apply  the  simile. 
Intemperance,  our  common  enemy,  is  now 
stalking  abroad  through  our  territories,  slaying 
our  citizens,  confiscating  their  property,  making 
widows  and  orphans,  and  leading  captive  at  his 
will  all  ages  and  ranks.  And  shall  we  give  our 
silent  consent  to  such  outrages?  But  how  shall 
we  stop  the  career  of  the  destructive  foe  ?  How, 
but  by  uniting  the  soldiers  of  temperance,  and 
counteracting  his  movements  at  every  step? 
This  is  the  only  sure  method  to  expel  him  from 
the  land. 

"  The  very  opposition  raised  against  tempe- 
rance societies  is  a  full  proof  that  they  are  cal- 
culated to  answer  the  purposes  for  which  they 
were  instituted.  Why  do  men  oppose  tempe- 
rance societies?     The  reason  is  obvious;  they 


58  SOUTHERN     CHRISTIAN. 

fear  they  will  accomplish  their  design.  If 
there  was  no  room  for  this  fear,  there  would 
be  no  opposition.  If  those  who  distil  and  sell 
ardent  spirits,  and  get  gain  thereby,  did  not  fear 
that  their  craft  was  likely  to  be  brought  to 
naught  by  temperance  societies,  they  would  not 
lift  against  them  their  voice.  If  those  who 
have  been  so  habituated  to  intemperance  that 
they  are  unwilling  to  abandon  the  habit,  did 
not  fear  that  temperance  societies  were  about 
to  bring  their  practice  into  disrepute,  they  would 
not  endeavor  to  check  their  progress.  Why 
oppose  them  at  all,  if  they  regard  them  as  en- 
tirely impotent  and  harmless  ?  Therefore,  op- 
position to  temperance  societies  only  proves 
more  strongly  their  adaptation  to  compass  the 
end  for  which  they  are  established.  That  plan 
of  reform  that  meets  with  no  opposition  from 
the  vicious  and  profligate,  is  likely  to  originate 
in  an  impure  source,  and  will  have  little  effi- 
ciency. But  that  which  arrays  against  itself 
the  whole  strength  of  the  misguided  world,  is 
most  apt  to  emanate  from  pure  principles,  and 
will  be  in  no  danger  of  being  overturned.  This 
problem  is  solved  in  the  existence  of  Christian- 
ity ;  no  religion  has  ever  met  with  such  power- 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  59 

ful  and  persevering  opposition ;  yet  it  prevails, 
and  will  prevail  until  it  regenerates  the  world. 

"  Let  us  next  consider  the  aid  which  tempe- 
rance societies  do  and  will  receive. 

•'  1st.  They  receive  and  will  receive  the  aid  of 
all  true  patriots.  When  he  who  loves  his 
country  looks  abroad  over  his  native  land,  and 
sees  the  desolating  effects  of  intemperance  in 
every  direction ;  when  he  views  hospitals  and 
poor-houses  filled  with  drunkards;  when,  by 
computation,  he  ascertains  the  expense  of  ar- 
dent spirit  used  in  the  United  States,  the  time 
lost  in  drinking,  and  losses  and  expenses  other- 
wise incurred,  would  pay  the  national  debt,  sup- 
port besides  the  government  of  the  United 
States,  and  that  of  every  other  State  in  the 
Union;  on  the  mere  principle  of  economy,  will 
he  not  endeavor  to  root  out  this  mighty  evil? 
Certainly  he  will,  and  more  especially  when  he 
perceives  that  the  expulsion  of  ardent  spirits, 
besides  freeing  his  countrymen  from  many 
enormous  evils,  will  render  them  more  con- 
tented, more  wealthy,  and  more  reputable 
Therefore,  temperance  combinations  will  re- 
ceive the  aid  of  all  genuine  patriots:  and  if  they 
have  their  influence,  they  must  prevail;  for 
■^UY  patriots  are  many,  and  they  are  mighty. 


GO  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

"  2d.  They  will  obtain  the  aid  of  the  tempe- 
rate. When  the  temperate  man  contemplates 
the  drunkards  who  surround  him,  and  recollects 
that  they  were  once  as  sober  as  himself,  and 
once  thought  as  he  does  now,  that  they  would 
never  become  sots,  but,  by  habitual  moderate 
drinking,  were  at  length  drawn  into  the  vortex 
of  dissipation ;  when  he  seriously  reflects  that 
he  occupies  the  same  grade  in  which  they  stood 
but  a  few  years  since,  and  that  if  he  persist  he 
will  be  inevitably  conducted  to  the  same  end, 
and,  in  all  probability,  his  posterity  after  him; 
will  he  not  turn  while  there  is  hope,  and  resolve 
to  banish  spirits  from  his  house?  Certainly  he 
will.  Therefore,  these  societies  will  be  sus- 
tained by  the  temperate.  If  so,  they  must  flou- 
rish ;  for  by  the  temperate,  drunkards  are  often 
supported,  on  them  they  frequently  sponge,  and 
from  their  number  their  ranks,  thinned  by 
death,  m.ust  be  supplied;  for  they  do  not  com- 
monly live  out  half  their  days.  Therefore,  if 
the  temperate  and  the  moderate  drinkers  adopt 
the  plan  of  entire  abstinence,  the  whole  race  of 
tipplers  will  soon  be  extinct. 

"  3.  Temperance  associations  do  and  will  re- 
ceive the  aid  of  all  respectable  females.     Ladies 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  61 

(for  none  others  deserve  the  name)  always  have 
been  temperate,  and  always  will  ie.  Intempe- 
rance they  instinctively  abhor,  "'tis  object  of 
their  implacable  disgust."  All  the  unkindness 
and  cruelty  of  every  other  sort  which  they  have 
suffered  from  our  sex,  will  not  equal  the  amount 
of  abuse  and  suffering  which  has  been  wantonly 
heaped  upon  them  by  drunken  fathers,  drunken 
brothers,  drunken  sons — but  worst  of  all,  and 
"nature's  foulest  blot" — by  drunken  husbands! 
On  this  account  they  do,  they  will,  they  must 
lend  their  aid  to  the  temperance  cause.  It 
would  be  idle  presumption  to  conjecture  other- 
wise. Whoever  has  carefully  observed  the  in- 
fluence of  lovely  woman,  must  confess  that  the 
society  which  has  her  warm  patronage  must 
live,  must  flourish, 

"4.  The  temperance  reform  does  and  will  re- 
ceive the  assistance  of  Christians.  He  who 
wishes  to  see  the  church  flourish,  and  at  the 
same  time  sees  that  nothing  removes  men  far- 
ther from  religion  than  drunkenness,  must  give 
his  influence  to  temperance  societies  ;  and  es- 
pecially when,  in  the  Bible,  his  law-book,  he 
sees  drunkenness  enumerated  in  every  black 
catalogue  of  crimes,  and  condemned  almost  on 

C 


C2  SOUTHERN     CHRISTIAN. 

every  page.  And  will  a  million  or  more  Chris- 
tians in  the  United  States  add  no  weight  to  the 
cause  of  temperance? 

"  5th.  Temperance  societies  receive  the  aid  of 
Heaven.  It  is  evident  that  Heaven  approves  or 
disapproves  of  temperance  associations.  Hea- 
ven approves  of  temperance;  therefore,  cannot 
disapprove  of  the  most  effectual  means  of  pro- 
moting it.  If  God  does  not  approve  of  the 
temperance  league,  then  he  approves  of  the 
conspiracy  against  it.  Would,  then,  any  one 
assume  the  responsibility  of  saying  that  the 
Lord  of  hosts  is  on  the  side  of  those  who  deride 
and  decry  the  temperance  cause  ?  To  this  mo- 
mentous affair,  be  assured,  the  Lord  God  Al- 
mighty is  not  indifferent;  he  has  stretched  out 
his  arm,  and  he  will  protect  the  societies  formed 
for  the  express  purpose  of  subduing  contempt 
of  his  authority,  and  giving  efficacy  to  his  own 
laws;  and  what  he  defends  must  prosper. 

"Let  us  now  take  a  hasty  survey  of  what  tem- 
perance societies  have  already  done.  This  is 
another  method  by  which  we  may  determine 
whether  or  not  they  are  able  to  accomplish  their 
design.  They  have  already  drawn  into  their 
circle  the  honorable  men  and  leading  characters 


SOUTHERN     CHRISTIAN.  63 

of  our  nation.  Statesmen  have  declared  intem- 
perance to  be  destructive  to  the  best  interests 
of  the  state.  Physicians  have  pronounced  it  to 
be  injurious  to  health,  and  have  recommended 
temperance  societies  as  the  best  remedy  for  the 
alarming  evil.  Against  it  ministers  have  lifted 
up  their  voice,  and  opposed  to  it  all  their  sanc- 
tity. Against  it  distinguished  lawyers  have 
plead,  and  against  it  venerable  judges  have 
passed  sentence.  Eloquent  editors  have  writ- 
ten against  it;  and  the  press,  which  is  a  pow- 
erful engine  in  governing  the  minds  of  the 
people,  is  generally  employed  in  the  cause 
of  temperance.  Merchants  have  tapped  their 
hogsheads,  and  committed  their  contents  to  the 
bowels  of  the  earth.  Distillers  have  uncapped 
their  stills.  In  whole  villages  in  the  United 
States  not  a  gallon  is  to  be  found.  Less  spirits 
by  one  third  are  now  consumed  in  the  United 
States  than  were  before  the  formation  of  these 
societies.  They  have  been  established  in  eve- 
ry State  in  the  Union.  They  have  reached  the 
West  India  Islands.  They  have  penetrated  to 
the  fur  traders  of  the  north-west.  Their  light 
has  beamed  on  Europe;  in  Great  Britain,  Ire- 
land   alone   numbers  more  than  one  hundred 


64  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

societies.  They  are  also  extending  their  influ- 
ence over  England  and  Scotland.  The  United 
States  has  enrolled  more  than  a  thousand,  and 
more  than  a  hundred  thousand  members.  How 
long  have  temperance  societies  been  engaged 
in  accomplishing  this  mighty  work?  A  hun- 
dred years  ?  No  !  not  fifty,  not  even  ten.  The 
whole  has  been  done  in  the  short  space  of  four 
or  five  years !  If  temperance  societies  have 
effected  so  much  in  their  infancy,  what  will  they 
not  do  when  they  have  reached  their  maturity  ?" 


CHAPTER    VI. 

While  spending  his  vacation  in  South  Caro- 
lina, one  day,  when  engaged  in  reading,  medita- 
tion, and  prayer,  in  a  lonely  retreat  in  the 
woods,  one  of  his  father's  colored  boys  came  to 
him.  After  conversing  with  him,  and  praying 
for  him,  he  dismissed  him,  feeling  a  very  strong 
desire  that  he  might  be  converted,  and  be  pre- 
pared to  go  as  a  missionary  to  Africa.  Thence- 
forward for  sable  Africa,  and  all  her  sable  de- 
scendents,  he  felt  a  bleeding  concern.  Every 
colored  man  he  met  had  a  share  in  his  sympa- 
thies. Every  where  was  he  regarded  as  the 
warm  friend  of  Africans. 

His  spring  vacation  having  nearly  elapsed, 
after  devoutly  looking  up  to  heaven  for  pro- 
tection on  his  journey,  he  turned  his  face  to- 
wards Knoxville.  To  beguile  the  tediousness 
of  the  way,  as  well  as  to  exert  a  salutary  influ- 
ence wherever  he  was,  we  find  him  at  one  time 
distributing  tracts,  with  appropriate  remarks  ; 

at  another  time  engaged  in  pious  conversation 

6+ 


66  SOUTHERN     CHRISTIAN. 

with  an  elderly  lady,  at  whose  house  he  spent 
an  evening.  On  another  occasion  privately  he 
rebukes  the  driver  of  the  stage  in  which  he 
travelled,  for  profane  swearing ;  and  having 
shown  him  the  third  commandment,  strongly 
urges  him  to  blaspheme  no  more.  Having 
arrived  at  Knoxville,  he  continued  to  prosecute 
the  studies  of  the  junior  class,  with  the  addition 
of  the  Hebrew  language.  About  this  time,  his 
heart  began  to  pant  for  the  pleasures  and  perils 
of  a  mission  in  a  foreign  land.  For  the  salva- 
tion of  pagans,  he  felt  a  strong  solicitude.  To 
their  sorrowful  condition,  his  heart  turned 
whenever  he  bowed  before  the  mercy-seat. 
His  thoughts,  by  night  and  by  day,  were  spread 
over  the  wild  forests  of  America,  as  the  moral 
deserts  of  Asia,  Africa,  and  the  isles.  He  knew 
that  he  had  a  father,  a  mother,  a  grandmother, 
and  a  sister  at  home,  whose  powerful  sympa- 
thies would,  if  possible,  bind  him  there.  His 
heart  was  indeed  theirs ;  but  he  had  given  it 
to  One,  whose  right  was  paramount  to  theirs. 
It  belonged,  without  reserve,  to  Him  who  issued 
the  command:  "Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and 
preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature."  Day  by 
day,  he  renewed  his  purpose  to  be  the  Lord's 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  67 

alone.  His  heart  told  him  that  his  home  would 
be  where  the  Lord  would  send  him.  To  him, 
all  climes  and  regions  would  be  alike,  provided 
the  gracious  presence  of  God  attended  him 
there.  With  such  emotions  as  warmed  the 
heart  of  the  psalmist,  he  could  now  say,  "Whom 
have  I  in  heaven  but  thee,  and  there  is  none 
upon  earth  that  I  desire  beside  thee."  With 
his  eye  and  his  heart  fixed  on  the  wretched 
abodes  of  degraded  idolators,  he  sought  the 
counsel  of  Heaven.  Hoping  at  length,  that  God 
would  send  him  far  off  to  the  gentiles,  he  is 
solicitous  to  acquire  every  qualification,  requi- 
site to  make  him  an  enlightened,  zealous,  and 
successful  missionary.  With  this  view,  he 
commenced  the  study  of  the  Hebrew  language, 
that  he  might  more  thoroughly  understand  the 
truths  of  revelation,  more  entirely  enter  into 
their  spirit;  and  above  all,  be  prepared,  if  it 
were  the  will  of  Heaven,  to  translate  them  into 
a  foreign  language.  Under  the  influence  of 
such  a  motive,  it  need  not  be  said,  that  he  gave 
his  whole  heart  to  this  new  and  interesting 
study. 

Already  in  his  estimation  the   Bible  was  a 
venerable  book ;  but  his  heart  dilates  v/ith  an 


C3  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

unusual  veneration,  when  he  views  it  in  its  own 
simple  attire,  through  which  its  native  majesty 
best  appears.  Then  it  was,  that  he  understood 
the  w^hole  force  of  those  strong  expressions,  in 
relation  to  its  value :  "It  is  better  than  gold, 
yea,  than  much  fine  gold;  sweeter  also  than 
honey  and  the  honey-comb." 

The  spirit  of  Missions,  which  now  began  to 
expand  his  bosom,  induced  him  to  view  with 
compassion  the  condition  of  the  colored  people 
of  Knoxville.  They  had  a  Sabbath  school,  con- 
ducted by  one  of  themselves.  They  very  much 
needed  the  aid  and  superintendence  of  a  pru- 
dent, skilful,  and  persevering  instructer. 

Having  previously  learned  that  there  was  no 
lav/  of  the  land  prohibiting  the  instruction  of 
colored  people  in  Tennessee,  and  having  ob- 
tained the  consent  of  the  superintendent  of  the 
Sabbath  school  in  which  he  had  for  some  time 
acted  as  a  teacher,  he  clicerfully  entered  on  the 
self-denying  employment  of  instructing  and  ma- 
naging the  African  School.  Another  perhaps 
would  have  asked.  Will  not  my  connection  Avith 
the  African  School  sink  me  in  the  estimation  of 
others?  But  public  opinion  had  no  influencs 
over  his  decisions  when  determining  what  should 


SOUTHERN    CHRISTIAN.  69 

be  done  or  what  should  not  be  done.     In  a  let- 
ter from   Carolina,  even  his  father  lifted  up  a 
warning  voice  and  entreated  him  to  beware ! 
But  he  had  taken  his   stand.     He  was  deter- 
mined to  obey  God  rather  than  man.     To  his 
compassionate  heart,  his  new  employment  was 
entirely  congenial.     His  first  appearance  in  the 
African  Sabbath  School  convinced  him  that  he 
had  a  hearty  welcome  there.     Many  a  grateful 
glance^  and  many  a  countenance  expanded  al- 
most to  a  smile,  assured  him  of  a  warm  recep- 
tion there.       The  hymns  which  he  sung,  the 
prayers  which  he  offerel,  i  he  affecting  exhorta- 
tions which  he  delivered,  all  gave  him  access  to 
their  hearts,   and  with  one  accord  they  pro- 
nounced him  the  friend  of  the  black  man.     On 
every  returning   Sabbath  he    shared   more    of 
their  confidence,   and  many  a  token   of  their 
respect  and  affectionate  regard  did  they  give 
him.     In  their  esteem  and  improvement  he  had 
an  ample  compensation  for  the   contemptuous 
smile  of  the  petty  coxcomb.     In  many  an  Afri- 
can bosom  in  Tennessee,  his  humble,  compas- 
sionate, and  dignified  deportment  in  the  Sabbath 
school,  is  remembered  still;   yea,  such  an  im- 
pression has  it  made  on  many  hearts,  that  it  will 
never  be  forgotten  while  memory  lasts. 


70  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

About  this  time,  our  young  brother  was  assail- 
ed by  a  temptation  which  much  harassed  and 
perplexed  him.  When  meditating  one  day  on 
the  fall  of  man,  it  occurred  to  him  that  God 
could  have  prevented  it: — if  he  could  have  pre- 
vented it,  he  ought  to  have  done  it.  Then  the 
query  arose,  since  he  did  not  prevent  it,  how 
could  he  be  just  in  punishing  that  which  he 
ought  to  have  prevented  7  This  view  and  the 
query  arising  out  of  it,  he  regarded  as  his  ow^n  ; 
and  charged  himself  with  downright  rebellion 
against  God.  Deeply  did  he  mourn,  because 
he  could  not  at  once  repel  a  cavil,  so  unjust  to 
God,  and  so  painful  to  himself  And  more  bit- 
terly did  he  lament  that  it  had  ever  found  its 
way  into  his  mind.  When  fully  persuaded  that 
he  abhorred  the  rebellious  thought,  and  loathed 
himself  for  having  entertained  it  for  one  mo- 
ment, he  was  still  more  agitated  by  the  fear, 
that  the  blasphemous  vagary  which  had  given 
him  so  much  torture,  was  an  alarming  indica- 
tion of  approaching  insanity.  This  fear  Avas 
more  than  doubled  by  the  recollection  of  a  case 
of  derangement,  which  he  had  not  long  before 
witnessed.  In  the  midst  of  these  tormenting 
anxieties,  he   betook   himself  to   fasting   and 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  71 

prayer.  Peace  returned,  and  the  tempter  fled. 
This  stratagem  of  Satan  put  him  on  his  guard; 
when  assaulted  the  next  time,  he  raised  the 
shield  of  faith,  whereby  he  was  able  to  quench 
all  the  fiery  darts  of  the  wicked.  At  the  time 
of  this  sharp  conflict,  Jefferson  thought  he  stood 
alone ;  but  he  afterwards  learned,  that  such 
trials  often  befel  the  most  devoted  servants  of 
God. 

In  this  painful  exercise  we  see  a  Christian  in- 
deed, one  who  abhorred  the  thought  of  doing  for 
a  moment  the  leastinjustice  to  God.  Such  a  man, 
we  may  readily  believe,  would  take  a  deep  inter- 
est in  every  thing  that  relates  to  the  welfare  of 
the  church  and  the  glory  of  his  Redeemer. 
The  heart  of  such  a  man  would  of  course  bleed  at 
the  sight  of  dissensions  among  Christian  breth- 
ren. Being  himself  taught  of  God  to  love  the 
brethren,  he  would  naturally,  and  indeed  neces- 
sarily, conclude  that  all  genuine  disciples  of 
Christ  loved  each  other.  He  remembered  well 
who  had  said,  "hereby  shall  all  men  know  that 
you  are  my  disciples,  when  you  have  love  one 
to  another."  With  these  sentiments  warm  in 
his  heart,  he  viewed  almost  with  agony  the  jea- 
lousies and  animosities  that  subsisted  between 


72  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

two  churches  of  the  same  denomination,  located 
in  the  same  village.  To  him  it  appeared  to  be 
incomprehensible,  that  those  who  loved  the  same 
Saviour,  entertained  the  same  hope,  and  expected 
to  meet  in  the  same  heaven,  should  fall  out  by 
the  way.  To  reconcile  Christians  to  each  other, 
he  therefore  thought  would  be  no  difficult  task. 
With  all  the  promptitude  of  charity,  with  all 
the  dexterity  of  prudence,  with  all  the  patience 
of  perseverance,  he  formed  and  prosecuted  the 
design  of  conciliating  the  contending  parties. 
In  this  project  of  charity,  he  associated  with 
himself  a  young  brother,  to  whom  he  imparted 
his  own  views,  and  whose  heart  beat  in  unison 
with  his  own.  They  called  to  their  aid  the 
lights  of  reason  and  the  charity  of  the  gospel ; 
and  at  a  stated  hour  they  asked  counsel  of  God, 
and  implored  the  love4ns])iring  Spirit  of  Hea- 
ven to  descend  on  the  jarring  churches  and  heal 
their  strife.  Pearson,  having  had  the  counsel  of 
a  brother,  and  having  looked  to  Heaven  for 
direction,  next  makes  known  his  views  and 
wishes  to  the  pastors  of  the  churches ;  and 
afterwards  to  their  leading  members.  This  is 
done  with  all  the  winning  modesty  of  a  young, 
inexperienced  Christian;  yet  with  all  the  gra- 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  73 

vity  and  firmness  of  mature  age.  He  is  not 
regarded  as  a  forward  intruder;  his  views  and 
feelings  are  treated  with  respect.  Kind  and 
encouraging  assurances  are  given  him,  on  both 
sides.  Harmony  he  hopes  will  be  restored. 
He  next  matures  his  plans  of  union.  Their 
wisdom  and  beneficial  tendency  are  not  called  in 
question.  But  our  young  brother  now  learns, 
that  the  spirit  of  the  world  was  not  entirely 
cast  out  of  the  Church.  That  there  are  num- 
bers connected  with  it  who  have  not  learned  to 
be  'kind  one  to  another,  tender-hearted,  forgiv- 
ing one  another  even  as  God  for  Christ's  sake 
hath  forgiven  us.' 

Having  heard  about  this  time  a  lecture  on 
the  parable  of  the  tares,  he  had  fresh  evidence, 
every  week,  that  they  grew  abundantly  in  the 
Church,  and  he  was  farther  convinced  that  to 
them  might  be  ascribed  most  of  the  divisions  of 
the  Church,  which  fell  under  his  observatioa. 
This  was  indeed  disheartening ;  but  stillpie  per- 
severed. He  had,  it  is  true,  gained  over  many 
Christian  hearts  to  hi.s  scheme  of  union  :  but  they 
were  peacemakers ;  and  by  a  fear  of  increasing 
division,  they  yielded,  for  the  present,  to  tlie  opi- 
nion of  those,  whose  business  in  the  Church  is 


74  SOUTHERN      CIIRI8TIAN. 

to  perpetuate  discord.  Our  peaceful  brother 
had  fully  embraced  the  opinion  that  religion 
would  languish  until  peace  was  restored  be- 
tween the  discordant  churches,  and  that  a  revi- 
val of  genuine  godliness  could  not  be  expected 
before  they  agreed  on  some  plan  of  union. 
Hence,  in  hope,  he  believed  against  hope,  and 
was  not  weary  in  his  labor  of  love,  though  diffi- 
culties increased  at  every  step.  Though  his 
plans  were  in  a  great  measure  abortive,  yet 
they  led  him  into  a  more  profound  acquaintance 
with  human  nature;  served  above  all  to  awaken 
his  own  zeal  for  the  glory  of  his  Redeemer  and 
the  purity  of  the  Church.  They  indeed  dimi- 
nished the  scope  of  that  charity  which  "think- 
eth  no  evil"  ;  but  they  enlarged  the  compass  of 
that  charity  which  "suifereth  long  and  is  kind; 
which  endureth  all  things  ;  and  likewise  hopeth 
all  things." 

Having  introduced  family  worship  in  the 
house  at  which  he  boarded,  and  having  associ- 
atedjprayer  with  all  his  other  employments,  and 
believing  that  all  our  lawful  employments  are 
sanctified  by  the  word  of  God  and  prayer,  he 
next  proposes  to  the  literary  society  of  which 
he  was  a  member,  to  open  its  several  meetings 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  75 

by  devoutly  imploring-  tlie  benediction  of  Hea- 
ven. The  resolution,  which  he  offered  on  this 
subject,  did  not  pass  ;  he  therefore  modestly 
requested  a  dismission.  After  some  hesitancy, 
a  dismission  was  granted,  upon  the  condition 
of  his  delivering  a  valedictory  address. 

With  this  condition  he  cheerfully  complied, 
because  it  aff'orded  him  an  opportunity  of  urg- 
ing and  persuading  the  members  of  the  society 
to  embrace  the  gospel  as  the  basis  on  which  to 
found  their  faith,  their  hope,  their  morals,  and 
their  comfort. 

This  withdrawal  from  the  literary  society 
was  not  a  hasty  act ;  for  a  considerable  time  it 
had  occupied  his  thoughts,  and  he  had  repeat- 
edly sought  direction  from  Heaven.  "Having 
been  (says  he  in  his  journal)  for  some  time  in 
doubt  whether  it  was  ray  duty  to  remain  in 
connection  with  the  society,  I  at  length  con- 
cluded to  determine  it  by  a  kind  of  lot,  such  as 
this:  that  if  it  were  the  Lord's  will  that  I 
should  remain,  that  he  would  cause  such  a  cir- 
cumstance to  take  place  ;  but  if  not,  that  he 
would  prevent  its  occurrence.  This  method  I 
had  recently  employed  in  a  doubtful  case,  and 
thought  that  I  was  directed  aright;  and  I  also 


76  SOUTHERN       CHRISTIAN, 

humbly  hope  that  in  the  last  instance  I  was 
led  to  adopt  the  proper  course."  On  this  me- 
thod of  seeking  the  guidance  of  Heaven  he 
makes  the  following  comment:  "  I  am  not  pre- 
pared to  say  that  this  manner  of  trying  to  dis- 
cover a  duty  is  perfectly  right.  It  certainly  is 
not,  where  the  duty  is  already  plain,  or  can  be 
discovered  by  the  individual  in  the  Bible*.  But 
I  think  where  a  person  is  really  in  doubt  about 
what  he  ought  to  do,  and  actually  wishes  to  dis- 
cover the  will  of  the  Lord  in  order  to  do  it, 
and  will  thus  fix  upon  some  event  uncertain  to 
him,  and  as  apt  to  take  place  as  not,  and  will 
pray  earnestly  and  in  faith  to  be  directed  aright, 
that  he  will  he  directed  aright.  This  is  acting 
somewhat  similar  to  the  apostles  in  casting  lots 
between  Joseph  and  Matthias." 

Having  lately  read  a  treatise  on  diet,  and 
having  observed  that  his  mind  was  more  vigo- 
rous after  certain  kinds  of  food,  he  began  to 
make  experiments,  in  order  to  ascertain  what 
kind  of  nutriment  would  be  most  congenial  to 
mental  improvement.  With  regard  to  the  li- 
quids connected  with  his  diet,  he  observed  that 
coffee  and  tea  were  stimulants,  milk  a  sedative, 
and  that  water  held  a  kind  of  neutral  rank  be- 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  77 

tvveen  the  two.  To  decide  this  matter  he  ap. 
peals  to  Heaven  by  prayer  and  '  the  casting  of 
a  lot'  In  his  Journal,  (Aug.  1st,  1831,)  he 
makes  this  record:  "Endeavored  to  discover 
whether  it  was  the  will  of  the  Lord,  or  not, 
that  I  should  drink  only  water  for  breakfast 
and  supper;  and  tried  it  for  each,  by  prayer  and 
dropping  a  piece  of  money.  At  each  trial,  the 
money  lay  with  that  side  up  which  I  had  pro- 
posed should  indicate  his  will  that  I  should 
drink  water  at  those  meals."  After  the  experi- 
ment of  one  week,  our  self-denying  Christian 
began  to  feel  some  loss  of  animal  spirits,  and 
began  to  call  in  question  the  propriety  of  the 
course  he  had  adopted.  To  settle  the  doubt,  he 
has  ao[ain  recourse  to  '  lot' ;  and  of  this  final  tri- 
al  thus  speaks:  "Endeavored  again  to  discover 
the  will  of  God  respecting  my  diet,  and  request- 
ed that  the  matter  might  be  finally  decided,  and 
that  I  might  do  that  which  would  most  tend  to 
promote  my  health,  the  good  of  my  soul,  the 
salvation  of  the  souls  of  others,  and  the  Re- 
deemer's glory  and  cause;  and  that  I  might 
delight  to  do  his  will,  whatever  it  might  be. 
Whereupon,  as  before,  I  tried  whether  it  was 
the  will  of  the  Lord  to  release   me  entirely 


79  SOUTHERN      C  H  H  I  S  T  I  A  N  . 

from  the  obligation  untlcr  which  I  felt  myself 
to  drink  water  at  breakfast  and  supper.  From 
the  piece  of  money  thrown  up  I  received  the 
answer,  No!  Again  I  tried  the  question,  Am 
I  to  confine  myself  constantly  to  this  course? 
Answer,  No !  Again  tried  ;  and  requested  that 
the  matter  might  be  put  entirely  to  rest,  and 
that  I  should  submit  to  his  will  either  way ; 
that  I  should  drink  temperately  of  coffee  or  tea, 
or  any  other  liquid  set  before  me,  ardent  spirits 
excepted,  or  whether  I  should  drink  water  only 
for  breakfast  and  supper.  Received  the  answer 
Yes,  for  drinking  temperately  of  whatever  came 
before  me,  spirituous  liquors  excepted. 

Thus  ended  this  dubious  affair,  and  our  young 
Christian,  taught  by  experience,resorted  to  such 
a  doubtful  expedient  no  more.  His  last  reflec- 
tions on  this  subject,  are  these :  "  I  am  begin- 
ning to  doubt  the  propriety  of  this  method  of 
proceeding;  but  I  am  disposed  to  think,  that 
in  all  cases  tliat  are  really  perplexing,  a  Chris- 
tian may  obtain  direction  from  Heaven,  if 
sought  in  the  right  way.  I  believe  that  no 
Christian  will  often  go  wrong,  if  he  will  pray, 
read  the  Bible,  and  follow  the  dictates  of  an 
enlightened  conscience."     With  rccrard  to  the 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  79 

whole  transaction  he  afterwards  has  these  re- 
marks :  "  I  might  have  discovered  my  duty  in 
relation  to  my  diet,  without  resorting  to  any 
other  means  than  reading  the  word  of  God, 
with  prayer.  My  time  would,  no  doubt,  have 
been  better  spent  in  endeavoring  to  obtain 
suitable  food  for  my  soul."  This  whole  affair 
presents  our  young  brother  in  the  attitude  of  a 
conscientious  Christian,  whose  "  failings  leaned 
to  virtue's  side."  It  also  exhibits  a  candor 
which  could  acknowledge,  and  a  resolution 
which  could  reform  an  error. 

Amidst  these  austerities,  in  which  our  young 
brother  seems  almost  an  anchorite,  we  would 
be  ready  to  conclude,  that  his  heart  was  beyond 
the  reach  of  female  attraction.  It  was  indeed 
strongly  guarded ;  but  it  had  within  emotions, 
which  female  delicacy,  and  meekness,  and  piety 
could  stir.  As  a  student  his  intercourse  with 
young  females  was  highly  exemplary.  His 
course  was  prescribed,  and  from  it  no  female 
charms  could  draw  him.  But  his  heart  often 
reminded  him,  that  he  could  not  resist  those 
attractions  always.  The  following  ode  written 
in  Miss  R.'s  album  may  be  regarded  as  a  gpeci- 


80  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

men  of  his  taste  and  the  natural  bias  of  a  heart 
that  female  worth  could  captivate : 

Daughter  of  Time,  thou  hast  been  made 

By  the  Almighty  hand  : 
Here  thou  wilt  stay  till  Death  has  laid 

Thee  with  the  silent  band. 

Thy  soul  will  then  pass  to  a  state 

Of  endless  bliss  or  woe  ; 
Know,  this  or  that  will  be  the  fate 

To  which  thou  hast  to  go. 

Altho'  thy  birth  is  from  on  high, 

Yet  he  who  caused  our  fall 
Would  charm  thee  from  thy  native  sky 

To  sin's  enticing  thrall. 

But  thou  hast  chosen  the  good  part 

To  sit  at  Jesus'  feet ; 
And  learn  of  him,  with  humble  heart, 

Temptations  how  to  meet. 

Repent  each  day  of  evil  deeds, 

Complete  your  heavenly  race. 
Root  out  by  prayer  all  noxious  weeds 

That  choke  the  seeds  of  grace. 

Renounce  all  false  moralit}''. 

Thyself  on  Jesus  roll, 
Love  him  with  every  faculty 

Of  body,  heart,  and  soul. 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN,  61 

Devote  thyself  unto  the  Lord 

With  all  thou  an  and  hast, 
And  live  by  faith  ujxm  his  word, 

And  hope  for  heaven  at  last. 

May  God,  the  Father  and  the  Son 

'  And  Spirit  of  all  grace, ' 
The  mighty  Three  combined  in  one, 

Smile  ever  on  thy  face. 

About  the  commencement  of  autumn  he  had 
a  very  affecting  view  of  the  poverty  and  empti- 
ness of  all  his  best  deeds.  This  discovery  was 
rendered  more  painful  by  the  apprehension  that 
he  had  run  into  some  of  the  excesses  of  super- 
stition, and  had  placed  too  much  reliance  on  his 
supposed  good  works.  Himself  now  and  his 
good  deeds  too  he  renounces  with  abhorrence, 
that  he  may  rely  exclusively  on  Christ  crucified, 
for  pardon  and  justification.  In  this  temper  he 
wrote  the  following  stanzas  in  Miss  T.'s  album: 

Tho'  thrones  and  kingdoms,  states  and  powers, 
And  all  the  world,  were  justly  ours, 
And  we  should  freely  them  bestow 
To  feed  and  clothe  and  warm  the  poor  ; 
Yet,  we  must  lean  on  Jesus. 

Tho'  we  should  pray  from  day  to  day, 
in  sorrow  and  repentance  stay, 


82  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

On  Sabbath  at  the  church  be  found, 
And  gladly  hear  the  gospel  sound ; 
Still  we  must  lean  on  Jesus. 

Tho'  we  forgive  and  pray  for  foes, 
Relieve  their  wants,  grieve  for  their  woes  ; 
Tho'  friend  and  foe  and  all  should  share 
Our  love,  and  sympathy,  and  care ; 
Still  we  must  lean  on  Jesus. 

Tho'  we  should  keep  all  the  commands. 
And  preach  the  gospel  to  all  lands, 
We  must  not  rest  upon  our  deeds, 
For  they  indeed  are  broken  reeds ; 
And  we  must  lean  on  Jesus. 

Altho'  our  bodies  may  be  burn'd, 
Without  the  love  of  Jesus  learn'd, 
We  shall  not  see  his  face  in  peace; 
The  flames  of  torture  will  not  cease, 
Unless  we  lean  on  Jesus. 

May  Jesus  give  us  crowns  of  gold. 
With  kingdoms,  bliss,  and  joys  untold  : 
Then  we  shall  ever  sing  the  song 
*  The  glory  doth  to  thee  belong  ;' 
And  still  will  lean  on  Jesus. 

Having  received  a  letter  from  the  Rev.  M. 
Dickson,  his  beloved  pastor,  requesting  him  to 
be  at  the  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  of  South 
Carolina,  in  order  to  put  himself  under  its  care 


SOUTHERN     CHRISTIAN 


83 


in  reference  to  his  preparation  for  the  ministry, — 
having  learned  that  there  were  several  revivals 
in  his  native  State, — and  being  informed  also 
that  a  camp-meeting  was  appointed  at  Nazareth, 
— Jefferson,  towards  the  close  of  September,  be- 
came exceedingly  anxious  to  return  home. 
But  his  solicitude  places  him  in  a  most  painful 
dilemma.  On  the  one  side,  the  commencement 
in  college  is  near;  and  on  the  other,  the  time  of 
the  meeting  of  Presbytery  is  at  hand.  If  he 
wait  for  the  commencement,  he  cannot  attend 
the  Presbytery  ;  if  he  meet  the  Presbytery,  he 
must  unavoidably  be  absent  at  commencement. 
He  prays  earnestly  for  direction.  He  at  length 
concludes  that  it  his  duty  to  return  immediately 
to  Carolina.  There  is  now,  in  his  view,  but  one 
difficulty  in  the  way  :  he  has  not  consulted  th-e 
faculty,  nor  yet  obtained  leave  of  absence. 
With  unusual  earnestness  he  makes  application 
to  the  president,  and  receives  a  prompt  denial. 
After  passing  a  melancholy  day,  he  determines 
to  renew  his  application.  He  writes  a  respect- 
ful petition,  which  was  presented  the  next  day 
to  the  president,  together  with  his  letter  from 
Mr.  Dickson,  and  a  newspaper  containing  ac- 
counts   of  revivals    in   Caroliuci.     The   papers 


84  SOUTHERN     CHRISTIAN. 

were  returned   with  a  positive  refusal,  and  an 
intimation,  that  our  zealous  Christian  •*  was  run- 
ning into  enthusiasm,  and   in  danger  of  heing 
entangled  in  an  error  that  would  lead  him   far 
astray."     To  this  touching  insinuation,  which 
entered  his  heart  like  a  dagger,  he  meekly  re- 
plies,   *'  Perhaps   this   is    the   fact."     He    was 
aware  that  he  did  not  fully  know  himself;  and 
he  always  had  the  most  profound  respect  for 
the   experience-taught   wisdom    of   age.       He 
cheerfully  submits.     He  regards  the  president 
of  the  college,  for  the  present,  as  occupying  the 
place    of  a  father;  and    feels    bound  to  obey. 
All  his  strong  sensibilities  he  sacrifices  at  the 
shrine  of  duty  ;  and  waits  patiently  for  the  close 
of  the  session.     The  ultimate  decision  of  the 
president  he  receive  as  an  indication  of  the  will 
of  Heaven :  and  his  mind  and  heart  |are  now 
turned  intensely  to  the  preparation  of  a  speech, 
to   be   delivered  at  the  exhibition,  on  Divine 
Revelation.     Most  importunately  does  he  pray« 
that  it  may  be  made  a  blessing  to  many.     In  his 
heart  he  feels,  that  if  his  presence  at  commence- 
ment can   be  a  spiritual  benefit  to  any,  he  can 
cheerfully  forego  the  advantages  and  pleasures 
of  attending  the  meeting   of  Presbytery.     Mr. 


SOUTHERN     CHRISTIAN.  85 

Pearson  did  indeed  submit  patiently  to  the  will 
of  the  faculty,  respecting  his  continuing  in 
Knoxville.to  the  close  of  the  session;  but  he 
now  begins  to  pant  for  a  greater  degree  of 
liberty.  Without  disputing  the  right  of  the 
faculty  to  detain  him,  or  without  passing  a 
shadow  of  a  censure  on  its  decision  in  his  case, 
he  forms  the  resolution  to  leave  college,  and 
finally  bid  adieu  to  Tennessee.  His  unbound 
spirit  could  not  brook  the  imprisonment  of  a 
literary  institution.  So  spiritual  had  he  become, 
so  much  was  his  heart  drawn  towards  heaven, 
that  he  had  no  longer  any  relish  for  studies 
that  were  not  directly  connected  with  the  science 
of  salvation.  After  commencement  he  returns 
home,  with  the  intention  of  pursuing  such  a 
literary  course,  as  would  in  his  opinion  most 
directly  fit  him  for  usefulness  as  a  herald  of  the 
cross.  The  only  apology  that  he  offered  for 
this  procedure  was,  that  he  was  entirely  indif- 
ferent about  the  honor  which  comethfrom  men, 
that  his  only  care  would  henceforth  be  to  be 
thoroughly  qualified  to  preach  the  fulness  of 
the  blessing  of  the  gospel  of  Christ. 

If  in  this  the  devotees  of  literature  will  say 
he  erred,  notwithstanding  every  pious  heart  will 

8 


86  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

readily  pardon  an  error,  that  seemed  to  flow 
directly  from  entire  devotedness  to  God.  If  in 
the  sight  of  God,  the  supreme  judge  of  the 
heart,  his  departure  from  a  regular  collegiate 
course  was  not  an  offence,  but  an  act  that 
merited  his  high  approval,  notwithstanding, 
being  a  rare  case,  it  deserves  rather  to  be  ad- 
mired than  imitated. 

The  advocate  of  a  learned  ministry  he  always 
was.  On  this  subject,  his  journal  presents  the 
following  observations,  soon  after  his  return  to 
Carolina : — "  If  it  was  necessary  for  the  i\  postles 
to  follow  the  Saviour  three  years,  who  was  the 
most  perfect  teacher  who  ever  appeared  on 
earth,  in  order  to  learn  his  doctrines,  how  much 
more  is  it  now  necessary  to  devote  several  years 
to  divine  study,  before  we  assume  the  office  of 
a  minister,  since  we  have  not  the  advantajje  of 
being  with  the  Saviour  in  person  !  If  the  gift 
of  tongues  was  necessary  for  the  Apostles,  it  is 
also  necessary  for  us;  therefore  we  should 
spend  sufficient  time  to  learn  the  different 
tongues,  which  will  be  most  useful, — unless  we 
can  obtain  them  miraculously,  as  the  Apostles 
did,  which  is  not  to  be  expected  now." 


CHAPTER   VII. 

On  Thursday,  the  13th  of  October,  he  left 
Knoxville  in  the  stage,  and  turned  his  face 
homeward.  When  he  arrived  at  Newport,  the 
stage  running  to  Ashville  was  gone.  Without 
much  hesitation,  he  came  to  the  conclusion  to 
pursue  his  journey  on  foot.  Friday  and  Satur- 
day he  moved  forward  distributing  tracts  as  he 
proceeded,  until  his  whole  stock  was  spent.  At 
Ashville,  he  sought  in  vain  for  a  recruit.  How 
much  was  his  heart  afflicted  when  he  parted 
with  the  last  of  these  little  companions  of  his 
way !  And  how  much  was  he  disappointed, 
when  he  learned  that  he  could  not  at  Ashville 
obtain  a  fresh  supply  !  Now  he  concludes  that 
by  some  other  method  he  must  do  something  to 
advance  the  spiritual  welfare  of  every  one 
whom  he  meets  on  his  way.  The  Sabbath  rises 
with  its  sweet  beams  on  our  weary  traveller; 
and  on  the  third  day  invites  him  to  rest.  He 
remembered  the  Sabbath  day,  and  kept  it  holy. 
Of  this  fact   we  have   in  his  journal  only  this 


S8  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

simple  record : — "  Rested, — and  felt  quite  thank- 
ful for  the  Sabbath/'  On  that  day  he  was  among 
strangers  when  the  Sabbath  found  him  ;  but  he 
was  not  alone,  for  the  Lord  of  the  Sabbath  met 
him  there.  On  Tuesday  he  arrives  at  home. 
Home  is  now  doubly  dear  to  him  for  two  rea- 
sons :  distilled  poison  appears  no  more  on  his 
father's  sideboard;  and^his  sister  having  lately 
obtained  a  hope  and  made  a  profession  of  re- 
ligion, he  now  regards  the  whole  family  in  the 
delightful  condition  of  that  of  Bethany,  of  which 
it  was  said,  "  Jesus  loved  Mary,  and  Martha,  and 
Lazarus." 

He  looks  around  on  his  beloved  home,  and 
asks  what  more  can  be  done  to  make  it  the 
charming  residence  of  the  Friend  of  sinners. 
His  father's  family  he  trusts  is  now  a  part  of 
the  household  of  faith  ;  but  the  servants  he  fears 
have  no  inheritance  among  them  that  are  sanc- 
tified. His  compassion  bleeds  for  their  sorrow- 
ful condition  *'  without  God  and  without  hope 
in  the  world."  He  finds  them  in  "  darkness  in 
the  region  and  shadow  of  death."  Immediately 
he  devises  and  steadily  pursues  a  plan  of  in- 
struction. The  colored  people  are  regularly 
gathered   around   the    family   altar.     While  a 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  89 

chapter  is  deliberately  and  devoutly  read  and 
sometimes  explained,  all  the  children  capable 
of  comprehending  any  part  of  it  stand  arranged 
in  a  circle  about  him,  giving  a  profound  atten- 
tion. After  the  prayer,  during  which  they  de- 
voutly kneeled,  they  rose  in  their  several  places, 
and  answered  questions  proposed  from  the 
chapter  just  read  and  explained.  Custom  soon 
made  this  method  of  instruction  delightful ;  and 
their  improvement  was  soon  apparent  to  all. 
A  minister  of  the  gospel,  who  witnessed  the 
efficacy  of  this  scheme  of  instruction  after  it 
had  been  in  operation  for  one  year,  was  aston- 
ished at  the  readiness  and  judgment  with  which 
the  proposed  questions  were  answered.  Such 
profound  attention,  such  orderly  deportment, 
he  had  never  before  seen  among  the  same  num- 
ber of  children  of  any  family.  Such  is  the 
power  of  manner !  An  affectionate  manner, 
proceeding  from  a  feeling  heart,  will  usually 
gain  the  hearts  of  children.  Over  those  little 
hearts  Jefferson  seemed  to  have  complete  com- 
mand, around  the  family  altar. 

In  his  return  from  Knoxville,  Jefferson  had, 
by  losing  an  opportunity  of  going  in  the  stage, 
saved  about  ten  dollars.     He  asks  his  father,  if 


90  SOUTHERN     CHRISTIAN. 

he  will  give  him  the  liberty  of  appropriating 
that  sum  to  any  object  he  pleases.  His  father 
readily  consents ;  he  in  a  few  days  sends  it  to 
Charleston  to  be  laid  out  in  tracts,  for  distribu- 
tion in  his  own  district. 

To  his  pastor,  he  next  submits  the  plan  of 
reading  religious  news  to  those  persons  who 
came  with  the  children  who  attended  the  Sab- 
bath school.  The  Sabbath  school  was  carried 
on  in  the  church,  before  the  morning  service 
commenced  ;  and  being  in  a  country  place,  the 
parents  and  other  members  of  the  family  came 
with  the  children.  For  such  as  were  necessarily 
present,  and  Avere  not  immediately  employed  in 
the  Sabbath  school,  he  hopes  by  the  plan  sug- 
gested, to  furnish  profitable  entertainment. 
The  scheme  was  admirable ;  and  were  there 
Sabbath  schools  connected  with  all  our  country 
churches,  and  this  plan  appended  to  them,  what 
an  amount  of  good  might  be  done  !  The  peo- 
ple thus  becoming  acquainted  with  the  state  and 
prospects  of  the  churches,  which  are  flourish- 
ing like  the  palm-tree  and  growing  like  the 
cedar  of  Lebanon,  would  feel  a  generous  emu- 
lation kindling  in  their  hearts.  Becoming 
familiar  with  the  benevolent  operations  of  this 


SOUTHERN     CHRISTIAN.  91 

age  of  benevolence,  their  hearts  would  expand 
in  a  noble  charity,  and  the  benediction  of  the 
great  philanthropist,  'Blessed  are  the  merciful, 
for  they  shall  obtain  mercy,'  would  move  and 
meet  their  whole  souls. 

There  is  another  class  of  hearers  who  fre- 
quent our  churches,  which  .TefTerson  supposed 
was  too  much  neglected.  The  descendants  of 
Africa  always  occupied  a  tender  place  in  his 
heart  wherever  he  found  them  ;  but  it  was  natu- 
ral that  he  should  feel  a  peculiar  solicitude  for 
those  of  his  own  neighborhood,  among  whom 
he  had  dwelt  from  his  birth.  He  next  proposes 
to  his  reverend  pastor  to  furnish  them  with  some 
appropriate  instruction.  To  him  it  appeared, 
that,  in  most  of  Presbyterian  churches  in  the 
South,  they  seemed  to  look  on  professed  Chris- 
tians with  an  eye  that  would  say,  '  No  man  car- 
eth  for  my  soul.'  In  his  opinion,  to  overcome 
their  indifference,  it  was  necessary  to  conquer 
our  own.  He  firmly  believed  that  they  would 
never  feel  an  interest  in  us,  until  we  felt  and 
manifested  a  deep  interest  in  them.  With  his 
views  his  reverend  friend  at  once  concurred. 
At  a  convenient  hour  the  colored  people  assem- 
bled, and  heard  the  doctrines  and  precepts  of  the 


92  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

gospel  from  one  Avhom  they  had  known  from 
his  youth.  The  first  ingredient  in  his  familiar 
addresses  was  compassion,  the  second  simpli- 
city. By  the  latter,  he  approached  their  minds  ; 
be  the  former,  he  drew  near  their  hearts.  His 
method  of  instruction  taught  them  that  Presby- 
terians have  hearts  which  can  melt  in  commisse- 
ration  over  the  black  man.  Him  they  always 
loved.  His  memory  will  ever  live  in  their 
hearts.  The  mention  of  his  name  still  expands 
many  a  dark  bosom;  and  many  a  falling  tear 
tells  how  much  he  was  loved. 

At  Nazareth  the  black  man  is  treated  as  a 
man  still ;  and  he  is  glad  when  they  say  to  him, 
"Come,  let  us  go  to  the  house  of  the  Lord." 
Mr.  Pearson's  maxim  no  doubt  is  true  :  "Treat 
them  as  immortals,  and  they  will  treat  you  as 
immortals."  No  one  was  ever  farther  removed 
than  he  from  that  reckless  fanaticism  that  seeks 
the  emancipation  of  the  African  at  the  risk  of 
his  ruin  ;  but  no  one  ever  more  ardently  desired 
to  bestow  on  him  tlie  liberty  of  the  gospel,  and 
make  him  'Christ's  free  man.' 

Soon  after  his  return  to  his  native  state,  wc 
find  him  diligently  employed  in  the  prosecution 
of  his  studies.     To  the  daily  perusal  of  the  Bi- 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  93 

ble  in  the  original  languages,  he  now  adds 
natural  and  moral  philosophy,  and  theology. 
Andto  his  former  devotional  exercises  he  now 
adds  heavenly  contemplation  at  the  hour  of  twi- 
light. Thus  was  he  obviously  growing  in  grace 
and  in  the  knowledge  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ, 

His  theological  studies  he  commenced  under 
the  direction  of  the  Rev.  M.  Dickson,  who  resid- 
ed about  one  mile  from  his  father's  house.  At 
the  urgent  request  of  many  friends,  and  with 
the  approbation  of  his  parents  and  pastor,  he  re- 
solves to  spend  one  Sabbath  in  each  month  in  the 
vacant  church  of  Pacolet,  to  aid  in  their  religious 
exercises.  In  an  extract  from  his  diary  of  Feb. 
1832,  we  may  distinctly  learn  the  manner  in 
which  his  time  is  spent.  "Commenced  a  plan 
of  study,  of  which  I  trust  the  Lord  will  ap- 
prove ;  and  in  which,  I  hope,  he  will  enable  me 
to  persevere.  But  if  the  method  be  agreeable 
to  his  will,  may  all  the  honor  redound  to  him- 
self, who  inclined  me  to  adopt  it. 

"The  plan  is  this  t  when  I  rise  in  the  morn- 
ing, first  address  the  throne  of  grace,  read  a 
Greek  Harmony  of  the  Gospels,  first  translate 
a  verse,  then  endeavor,  by  the  aid  of  the  Spirit, 


94  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

to  understand  and  improve  it  to  my  spiritual 
benefit.  Then  read  the  Notes  at  the  end  of 
the  Harmony,  by  examining  the  verses  quoted 
endeavor  to  discover  the  harmony  of  the  gos- 
pels, and  improve  in  every  way  possible;  this 
exercise  to  be  continued  until  breakfast,  Then 
read  one  hour  in  Natural  Philosophy.  The 
next  hour  to  be  spent  in  work,  or  some  corpo- 
ral exercise  equivalent.  Next  read  Hebrew, 
(two  hours,)  both  critically  and  practically. 
Then  address  the  throne  of  grace ;  after  which 
ten  or  fifteen  minutes  will  be  spent  in  the  con- 
sideration of  some  duty,  which  I  am  inclined  to 
think  I  may  be  required  to  perform.  For  ex- 
ample, should  I  become  a  missionary?  or  what 
is  and  what  is  not  a  violation  of  the  Sabbath  ? 
In  all  such  queries  seeking  divine  teaching,  as 
the  only  method  of  reaching  a  satisfactory  re- 
sult. After  this,  four  hours  are  to  be  taken  up 
in  reading  some  system  of  theology.  (If  din- 
ner consume  a  part  of  this  time,  the  time  thus 
lost  will  be  added  to  the  four  hours  to  make  up 
the  complement.)  Then  will  follow  another 
hour  of  bodily  exercise.  After  which  various 
other  matters  will  be  attended  to,  as  may  be 
most  suitable  and  convenient,  such  as  reading 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  95 

news,  tracts,  poetry,  history,  &c.,  or  sometimes 
writing;  all  winding  up  with  family  prayers, 
after  which  the  black  children  are  to  be  ques- 
tioned and  instructed  on  the  chapter  read.  Be- 
fore lying  down,  the  throne  of  grace  is  again  to 
be  addressed ;  and  fifteen  minutes  to  be  em- 
ployed in  heavenly  contemplation,  looking  for 
divine  assistance  therein.  Eight  hours  will  be 
allowed  for  sleep.  Sun  up,  the  latest  hour  for 
rising, 

"On  Tuesdays  and  Saturdays,  by  agreement 
with  Mr.  Dickson,  I  repair  to  his  study  to  pass 
an  examination,  receive  instruction,  consult 
commentaries  or  works  on  theology.  Then 
return  home  in  time  to  commence  my  four 
hours'  study  of  theology,  unless  necessarily 
detained.  The  Sabbath  is  to  be  devoted  sa- 
credly to  the  exercises  peculiarly  belonging  to 
it.  Before  the  public  exercises  of  the  church, 
the  Union  Questions  may  be  studied.  After 
coming  from  church,  I  will  go  to  the  young 
men's  prayer  meeting  ;  the  rest  of  the  evening 
to  be  spent  in  various  religious  exercises.  The 
third  Sabbath  of  every  month  will  probably  be 
spent  at  Pacolet.  And  likely  a  part  of  the 
Saturday  before  and  Monday  after  will  be  con- 


96  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

sumed  in  going  and  returning,  unless  in  pecu- 
liar circumstances  I  can  be  convinced  it  is  my 
duty  to  go  and  return  on  the  Lord's  day.  But 
may  the  Lord  of  the  Sabbath  direct  me  in  this 
matter,  and  never  suffer  me  to  violate  the  Sab- 
bath day  !  The  first  Monday  in  every  month 
will,  if  the  Lord  permit,  be  usually  employed 
at  the  court-house,  in  distributing  tracts.  Occa- 
sionally, also,  other  public  days  will  be  devoted 
to  the  same  purpose.  In  this  business,  I  will 
perhaps,  at  times,  employ  a  substitute."  These 
regulations  he  dismisses  with  the  following  de- 
vout reflections  :  "May  the  Lord  enable  me  to 
improve  the  time  as  it  passes,  and  spend  all  to 
his  glory.  The  above,  with  any  other  improve- 
ments that  may  be  added,  is  the  manner  in 
which  I  hope  the  Lord  will  strengthen  me  to 
spend  my  time  ;  except  it  should  please  Him  to 
prevent  it  by  sickness  or  some  other  providen- 
tial interference.  May  He  give  me  health,  and 
make  me  grateful  for  it ;  and  incline  me  to  im- 
prove it  to  his  glory.  May  He  dispose  me  so  to 
act,  as  not  to  need  chastisement  to  excite  nie  to 
do  my  duty.  But  when  He  sees  it  best  for  me, 
may  He  give  rac  faith  and  patience  to  bear  it  as 
a  disciple  of  the  'man  of  sorrows':  I  ask  it  in 
the  name  of  Jesus.     Amen." 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  97 

What,  you  may  ask,  was  it  that  gave  so 
much  value  to  time  in  his  estimation?  It  was, 
wc  may  say  without  doubt,  its  connection  with 
eternity.  As  a  proof  of  this,  and  as  a  speci- 
men of  the  manner  in  which  he  closed  the  day, 
take  the  following  contemplation, — dated  Tues- 
day evening,  Feb.  28th,  1832.  "Conceive,  O 
my  Soul,  if  thou  canst,  the  length  of  eternity ! 
Let  a  particle  of  dust  and  a  drop  of  water 
stand  each  for  999,000  millions  of  centuries. 
Let  that  immense  number  of  centuries  be  mul- 
tiplied by  every  particle  of  dust  in  the  whole 
globe.  Let  that  product  be  multiplied  by  every 
drop  of  water,  each  drop  representing  999,000 
millions  of  centuries.  Double  this  number; 
and  afterwards  multiply  it  by  itself,  and  you 
will  produce  an  overwhelming  number.  One 
which  the  power  of  calculation  cannot  reach ; 
one  which  no  language  on  earth  can  express. 
But  will  this  be  eternity?  No!  It  will  not  be 
as  much,  in  comparison  with  eternity,  as  the 
smallest  particle  of  dust  is  in  comparison  with 
the  whole  globe ; — but  infinitely  less.  For 
after  this  flux  of  centuries,  there  would  remain 
an  eternity  still  undiminished,  ever-during. 
And,  I  can  add,  this  description  of  the  length 

9 


93  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

of  eternity  is  infinitely  fainter,  in  comparison 
with  what  it  really  is,  than  the  light  of  a  candle 
is  fainter  than  the  light  of  the  sun.  To  ease 
the  burden  of  conception,  and  sum  up  the 
whole :  eternity  is  that  which  has  no  beginning, 
and  no  end!!  O!  eternity!  eternity!!  The 
amount  of  eternal  happiness  how  vast !  !  of  eter- 
nal misery  how  great  the  sum  !  ! !  Oh  !  my  Soul ! 
my  Soul!  may  you  escape  the  one,  and  enjoy 
the  other,  through  the  riches  of  grace  in  Christ 
Jesus  my  Lord  !     Amen." 

This  gigantic  conception  of  eternity  was 
constantly  blended  with  every  recollection  of 
God,  of  himself,  of  immortals  around  him.  It 
attended  him  in  the  discharge  of  every  duty ; 
it  was  mingled  with  every  motive;  it  prompted 
to  every  act.  I  had  almost  said,  it  appeared  in 
every  step  ; — it  was  visible  in  every  feature. 

He  who  had  such  an  enlarged  and  enlarging 
view  of  eternity  could  never  be  idle.  To  such 
a  man,  tliree  score  years  and  ten  to  labor  for 
eternity  appeared  a  point  indeed.  Our  young 
Christian  needed  no  premonition  from  Heaven 
that  his  transient  stay  on  earth  ^\;ould  little  ex- 
ceed the  third  of  that  short  account,  to  awaken 
every  power  and  stir  eycry  nerve  in  the  work 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  99 

of  the  Lord,  in  the  weighty  concerns  of  eternity. 
In  his  judgment,  cleared  by  the  light  of  immor- 
tality, a  hundred,  nay  a  thousand  years,  was  a 
contracted  span  compared  with  ever-during 
eternity. 

On  the  third  Sabbath,  as  contemplated,  we 
find  him  at  the  Pacolet  church.  After  the  cus- 
tomary previous  exercises,  he  read  a  sermon, 
on  "The  way  to  bliss."  After  which,  (to  use 
his  own  language,)  "I  strongly  recommended 
Sabbath  schools.  At  the  close  of  the  religious 
exercises,  I  presented  a  subscription  paper  for 
the  purpose  of  raising  a  Sabbath  school  library  ; 
I  was  delighted  and  encouraged  when  the  paper 
was  returned  to  me  with  the  amount  of  fifteen 
dollars  subscribed.  My  impression  was  that  the 
Lord  had  opened  their  hearts  ;  as  the  church  is 
small,  the  people  in  moderate  circumstances,  and 
not  trained  to  liberality.  Therefore,  I  found  my 
unhumbled  heart  ready  to  swell  with  pride,  on  ac- 
count of  what  was  done.  I  instantly  prayed,  that 
I  might,  with  disgust,  reject  all  praise  bestowed 
on  myself,  and  earnestly  desire  it  all  to  be  given 
to  the  Lord." 

Within  a  month,  the  money  for  the  Sabbath 
School  library  is  collected,  and  sent  with  a  let- 


100  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

ter  written  by  Mr.  Pearson  to  the  agent  of  the 
Sabbath  School  Union  of  Charleston;  plead- 
ing that  the  Sabbath  School  at  Pacolet  might 
be  regarded  as  an  auxiliary  to  tlie  Sabbath 
School  Union,  on  the  easiest  terms  possible, 
in  order  that  books  might  be  received  at  the 
usual  discount  allowed  to  auxiliaries.  Also 
entreating  that  every  thing  that  could  be  spared 
would  be  sent  gratis, — especially  pictures,  if  any 
such  were  on  hand,  illustrating  Scripture  histo- 
ry. In  all  this  we  see  distinctly  the  features  of 
Him  who  while  on  earth  went  about  doing 
good. 

Being  a  truly  modest  young  man,  when  our 
Southern  Christian  conceived  the  idea  of  deli- 
vering lectures  on  the  Shorter  Catechism  every 
month,  at  Pacolet,  he  must  have  felt  a  tremu- 
lous movement  throughout  his  nervous  system. 
As  this  thought  first  rose  on  his  mind,  he  feared 
to  entertain  it ;  but  was  afterwards  encouraged 
to  proceed  by  the  aid  which  he  perceived  he 
might  obtain  from  Dr.  Green's  and  Ridgeley's 
Lectures  on  the  same  subject.  An  additional 
inducement  to  pursue  this  course,  was,  that  he 
would  be  thereby  completely  digesting  a  system 
of  theology,  and  preparing  himself  to  be,  in  the 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  101 

best  sense  of  the  word,  an  'orthodox  divine.' 
After  these  reflections,  the  subject  is  mentioned 
to  his  highly-esteemed  pastor,  who  gives  his 
sanction.  Pearson,  having  obtained  the  con- 
sent of  his  heart  before,  and  now  having  the 
support  of  his  conscience,  with  all  the  diffi- 
dence of  humility,  but  with  all  the  firmjiess  of 
resolution,  addresses  himself  to  his  work. 

How  he  felt  on  this  subject,  and  others  inti- 
mately connected,  will  appear  from  the  folio  wing 
letter  to  two  young  friends  at  Knoxville,  which 
you  have  almost  entire — dated  March,  1832. 

"  Dear  Friends, — 

The  Giver  of  every  blessing  continues  to 
administer  to  all  my  necessities,  blessing  me 
especially  with  health  and  contentment.  You, 
I  doubt  not,  have  also  experienced  his  goodness 
in  every  respect,  if  it  should  be  even  in  sick- 
ness ;  for  he  sends  every  chastisement  for  our 
good  :  whom  the  Lord  loveth  he  chasteneth. 

"Since  I  arrived  at  home  I  have  unexpect- 
edly fallen  into  a  new  and  important  station. 
The  teacher  of  our  Academy,  having  removed 
to  Georgia,  left  three  vacant  churches,  one  of 
which  lie  and  some  other  friends  have  engaged 
me  to  attend  monthly. 


102  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

"With  the  approbation  of  our  pastor,  I  have 
commenced  delivering  lectures  on  the  Shorter  Ca» 
techism.  My  inexperience  in  this  work  will  lead 
me  to  rely  entirely  on  divine  aid.  The  best  and 
most  experienced  minister  depends  altogether 
on  the  Lord  Almighty  for  success  in  his  minis- 
terial labors ;  how  much  more  do  I  need  help 
from  above,  who  both  in  wisdom  and  experi- 
ence am  but  a  child. 

"The  Academy  at  Poplar  Spring,  which  Mr. 
Kennedy  left,  is  now  occupied  by  Mr.  Dickson, 
our  pastor,  with  whom  I  am  studying  theology. 
I  have  finished  Moral  and  have  nearly  completed 
Natural  Philosophy.  I  have  read  carefully  the 
first  volume  of  Home's  Introduction,  and  about 
one  third  of  the  first  volume  of  Ridgeley's  Bo- 
dy of  Divinity.  I  read  slowly,  pausing  often, 
striving  to  understand  every  thing  fully  as  I 
advance,  and  fix  all  in  memory.  Besides,  three 
or  four  hours  every  day  are  occupied  in  the 
study  of  Hebrew  or  Greek.  The  ministry  is 
an  important  undertaking,  for  v/hich  we  should 
be  well  prepared,  both  in  piety  and  literature. 
Mr.  D.  has  in  his  Academy  four  promising 
young  men,  who  are  looking  forward  to  the 
ministry.   We  have  a  prayer  meeting  every  Sab- 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  103 

bath    evening,   at  which    we  trust   the   young 
plants  of  grace  are  nourished  and  strengthened. 
The  utility  of  such  a  society  you  know,  I  trust' 
from  experience.     The  sweet  brotherly  devo- 
tions we  enjoyed  together  in  the  retired  grove, 
were  certainly  not  in  vain.     And  although  the 
particular  object  for  which  we  entreated  did 
not  seem  to  be  granted  at  the  time,  our  prayers 
may  yet  be  answered  by  copious  showers  from 
on  high.     I  hope  your  petitions  still  continue  to 
ascend  together.     Though  but  two  in  number, 
you  can  claim  the  promise  made  to  two  or  three. 
Let  your  request  be  that  the  blessing  may  de- 
scend immediately.     And  when  you  pray  be- 
lieve that  you  receive,  and  you  shall  receive. 
Perhaps  it  was  here  we  erred  before,  in  not 
asking  in  faith  for  an  immediate  blessing. 

"I  long  to  know  whether  the  two  jarring  soci- 
eties, for  whose  union  we  prayed,  are  likely  to 
be  reconciled.  I  verily  believe  that  it  is  their 
disunion  that  hinders  a  revival  in  those  church- 
es. The  Spirit  of  the  Lord  dwells  not  in  the 
midst  of  strife.  Use  your  utmost  endeavors 
to  effect  a  reconciliation.  Young  as  I  am,  I 
would  send  them  a  reproof,  if  I  could,  that 
would  reach  their  hearts.     You  may  tell  them, 


1Q4  SOUTHERN      C  II  II  I  K  f  I  A  N  . 

from  me,  that  if  they  love  their  own  souls  and 
the  souls  of  others,  and  want  to  follow  Jesus, 
they  will  forgive  and  pray  for  one  another.  If 
they  do  this,  each  will  be  willing  to  sufier  wrong 
rather  than  prolong  the  contention,  and  their 
mutual  prejudices  will  be  swallowed  up  in  love- 
Tell  them  farther,  and  tell  them  plainly,  that 
He  who  on  the  cross  prayed,  'Father  forgive 
them,  they  know  notwdiat  they  do,'  looks  from 
his  high  throne,  with  displeasure,  on  their  strife. 
He  points  yet  to  a  little  child,  and  says  to  them 
'Except  ye  become  as  this  little  child,  you  shall 
in  no  case  enter  into  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven.' 

"In  our  supplications  let  us  not  forget  the 
pagan  world ;  and  let  us  use  our  endeavors  to 
supply  them  with  the  gospel.  I  would  enjoin 
it  on  you  both,  to  inquire  whether  you  are  not 
bound,  yourselves,  to  carry  the  gospel  to  the 
the  heathen.  The  command  of  the  Saviour 
and  the  claims  of  the  world  are  before  you. 

"Give  my  respects  to  Dr.  Ooflln  ;  the  pater- 
nal advice  and  caution  which  he  gave  will  be 
remembered  with  gratitude,  as  the  means  of 
guarding  me  against  error  (page  84).  Let  the 
Doctor  read  this  letter. 

Yours  affectionately, 

A.  J.  PEARSON." 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  105 

The  last  paragraph  is  recorded  with  peculiar 
pleasure,  as  the  spontaneous  effusion  of  a  heart 
in  which  resentment  could  not  lodge,  ahd  as  a 
delightful  exemplification  of  the  heaven-de- 
scended adage,  "Reprove  a  wise  man,  and  he 
will  love  thee." 

The  lectures  on  the  Catechism  which  were 
delivered  at  Pacolet  were  sometimes  written 
out,  sometimes  bai^e  skeletons  were  formed : 
from  those  of  the  first  kind  we  make  a  short 
extract,  as  a  specimen  of  the  manner  in  which 
they  were  composed,  and  as  a  disclosure  of  the 
high  motive  by  which  th  -It  author  was  governed 
in  all  he  did  or  said. 

"  In  all  we  do,  we  should  have  a  single  eye 
to  the  glory  of  God.  Before  we  enter  on  any 
important  business,  before  we  even  buy  or  sell 
a  piece  of  property,  we  should  ask  ourselves 
whether  or  not  it  will  promote  the  declarative 
glory  of  God.  Perhaps  that  which  we  spend 
for  property  we  do  not  absolutely  need,  should 
have  been  given  to  some  benevolent  object, 
which  would  have  tended  to  advance  the  cause 
and  glory  of  the  Redeemer."  Of  him,  all  who 
knew  him  well  would  with  cheerfulness  say: 
"  Whether  he  ate  or  drank,  01*  whatever  he  did, 
he  did  all  to  the  glory  of  God." 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

While  our  student  of  theology  is  conscien- 
tiously pursuing  the  course  he  has  prescribed 
for  himself,  he  finds  leisure  to  write  letters  to 
the  pious,  to  urge  them  forward  in  their  hea- 
venly career,  remind  them  that  angels  will  soon 
be  their  companions,  heaven  their  home,  and 
the  universe  the  sphere  of  their  action.  To  the 
thoughtless,  insisting  that  they  were  constitu- 
tionally designed  to  reflect  on  things  beyond 
the  reach  of  sight ;  and  therefore  to  bound  their 
views  by  the  horizon  of  this  world  would  be 
criminal  and  perilous.  To  the  vicious  and  pro- 
fligate, warning  them  that  the  race  they  were 
running  would  end,  if  pursued,  in  temporal  and 
eternal  ruin.  To  friends  of  tract-distribution, 
to  quicken  their  zeal  in  the  holy  cause,  and 
guard  them  against  being  weary  in  well-doing. 
To  superintendents  and  teachers  of  Sabbath 
schools,  to  awaken  all  their  energies  in  behalf 
of  the  rising  generation,  the  hope  of  the  future 
Church,  as  well  as  of  our  growing  republic. 
To  the  friends  of  temperance,  persuading  thern 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  107 

to  distinguish  themselves,  as  benefactors  of  the 
present  generation,  by  employing  the  most  vigo- 
rous efforts,  to  restrain  from  complete  vassalage 
those  who  were  likely  to  become  the  hopeless 
slaves  of  intemperance.  In  a  word,  his  mind, 
his  heart,  his  hand,  his  voice,  and  his  pen,  were 
ever  ready  to  aid  and  defend  whatever  tended  to 
promote  the  temporal  and  eternal  happiness  of 
man. 

In  the  midst  of  these  noble  employments  he 
anticipates  an  approaching  period  of  deep  inte- 
rest to  his  heart.  Stern  winter  passes  away; 
lovely  spring  begins  to  send  forth  its  bland 
zephyrs;  and  all  nature  revives.  But  our  stu- 
dent of  theology  is  not  charmed  as  he  once  was 
with  the  expanding  foliage,  the  budding  flower, 
or  the  fragrant  breath  of  spring.  Another  sea- 
son is  near,  which  has  awakened  anxieties  which 
enchanting  spring  cannot  lull.  The  spring  ses- 
sion of  the  Presbytery  of  South  Carolina  is 
drawing  near;  and  he,  if  his  purpose  fail  not,  is 
about  to  announce  himself  as  a  candidate  for 
the  gospel  ministry.  He  is  about  to  tell  the 
ambassadors  of  Jesus  Christ,  assembled  in  his 
name,  and  by  his  authority,  that  he  believes  he 
is  born  of  the  Spirit,  and  moved  by  the  Holy 


108  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

Ghost  to  seek  the  most  sacred  office  on  earth. 
His  conscience  tells  him  that  he  must  now  give 
lucid  proof  of  his  regeneration,  and  ample  evi- 
dence of  his  being  called  of  God,  as  was  Aaron. 
In  deep  solitude,  where  no  eye  can  see  him  but 
God's,  he  reviews  his  life  and  searches  his 
heart  on  his  knees.  The  agitation  of  his  spirit 
subsides  in  a  heavenly  calm  ;  he  gives  himself 
afresh  to  the  God  of  his  salvation,  and  pants  for 
a  full  unction  of  the  spirit.  He  meets  at  length 
the  ministers  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  feels  that  he 
stands  on  holy  ground;  he  is  introduced  to  the 
Presbytery  by  Mr.  Dickson  as  one  who  desires 
to  be  under  its  care;  the  moderator  turns  his 
eye  towards  him,  invites  him  to  approach  and 
take  a  seat;  he  rises,  and  his  heart  beats  more 
quickly ;  he  draws  near  as  one  whose  solemn 
air  and  deliberate  step  tell  whither  he  is  going; 
he  is  gravely  seated,  and,  while  inclining  a  little 
forward,  as  if  involved  in  deep  reflection,  the 
profound  silence  is  interrupted  by  the  voice  of 
the  moderator,  gently  requiring  him  to  give  a 
brief  narrative  of  what  the  Lord  had-  done  for 
his  soul,  and  then  concisely  state  the  reasons 
why  he  desired  the  sacred  office.  Rising  to  an 
attitude  more  erect,  with  a  modest  confidence, 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  109 

he  proceeded  to  describe  the  exercises  of  liis 
heart,  from  which  he  humbly  trusted  the  Lord 
had  called  him  by  his  grace.  He  mentioiied 
no  appalling  terrors,  nor  did  he  speak  of  celes- 
tial raptures.  He  had  nothing  extraordinary 
to  relate.  The  sum  of  all  he  could  say  was, 
that  had  he  any  righteousness  of  his  own,  he 
would  renounce  every  shred  of  it,  and  trust  ex- 
clusively in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  for  a  free 
and  full  salvation ;  and  were  the  whole  affair 
left  to  his  own  choice,  he  would  be  saved  in  this 
way,  and  in  no  other.  From  his  heart  he  de- 
sired that  Christ  should  have  the  whole  glory 
of  his  redemption.  With  regard  to  the  sacred 
office,  he  deeply  felt  his  unworthiness,  and 
greatly  feared  that  he  would  fall  far  short  of  its 
high  responsibilities:  yet  he  as  strongly  felt 
that  no  other  employment  could  ever  suit  his 
taste,  and,  like  an  ancient  servant  of  God,  he 
could  say  from  his  heart,  "Yea,  woe  is  unio 
me  if  I  preach  not  the  gospel.'*  He  had,  in- 
deed, heard  no  voice  from  heaven,  he  had  seen 
no  vision;  no  remarkable  impulse  had  taught 
him  the  will  of  the  Most  High:  yet  did  he  fully 
believe  that  nothing  on  earth  could  make  hira  so 
happy  as  to  honor  Jesus,  promote  the  spiritual 

10 


no  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

welfare  of  the  Church,  and  save  souls  from 
dcatli.  We  verily  believe  he  could  have  added 
with  truth,  "  I  would  rather  honor  Christ  than 
be  myself  honored.  I  would  rather  bring  sin- 
ners to  Jesus  than  rule  empires." 

After  a  few  questions  were  proposed  to  him, 
and  satisfactorily  answered,  he  was  permitted 
to  retire ;  when  Presbytery  unanimously  agreed 
to  receive  him,  in  the  hope  that,  as  the  Lord 
had  blessed  him,  he  would  m.ake  him  a  blessing. 
When  called  in,  he  modestly  and  gratefully 
heard  from  the  lips  of  the  moderator  that  he 
miofht  refjard  himself  as  a  candidate  for  the  ffos- 
pel  ministry,  under  the  care  of  the  Presbytery 
of  South  Carolina.  As  a  matter  of  course,  the 
usual  parts  of  trial  were  then  assigned  him. 
Next  day  he  had  an  opportunity  of  holding 
Christian  fellowship  with  the  ministers  of  the 
sanctuary,  the  ruling  elders  of  the  Church,  and 
a  numerous  concourse  of  private  Christians. 
To  him  this  was  a  solemn  day.  He  feels  now 
that  he  sustains  a  new  relation  to  the  ministers 
of  Christ.  He  has  placed  himself  directly  un- 
der their  care.  He  has  now  a  deeper  interest 
in  their  hearts.  He  will  be  remembered  in 
their  prayers.     He  recollects  also  that  the  eyes 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  XII 

and  hopes  of  the  Church  are  turned  towards 
him.  On  that  day  many  a  petition,  he  trusted, 
rose  to  Heaven  for  him.  With  these  views, 
and  with  corresponding  feelings  amidst  the 
assembly  of  the  saints,  he  took  his  seat  at  the 
table  of  the  Lord.  In  circumstances  so  moving 
to  the  pious  heart,  with  such  awakening  recol- 
lections, he  renewed  his  covenant  with  God, 
and  gave  himself  to  Him  and  the  Church  for- 
ever. 

Thus  passed  the  winter  of  1831  and  '32:  and 
thus  passed  the  succeeding  spring,  summer,  and 
autumn.  What,  in  the  ;  (  nths  preceding,  our 
young  brother  was,  with  little  variation  he  con- 
tinued to  be  through  the  residue  of  the  year. 
Whatever  difference  mio;ht  be  discerned  arose 
from  his  continual  improvement.  His  was  truly 
the  path  of  "  the  just,  that  shineth  more  and 
more  unto  the  perfect  day." 

To  those  who  understand  the  beniorn  influ- 
ence  of  real  Christianity,  it  need  not  be  told  that 
our  student  of  theology  was  a  patriot.  Just  so 
far  as  he  was  a  Christian,  in  the  same  decree 
was  he  a  patriot.  The  love  of  country  early 
rose  in  his  bosom.  In  his  heart  the  heroes  of 
the  revolution  were   cherished    with   singular 


112  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

veneration.  The  bare  mention  of  the  names  of 
Washington  and  La  Fayette  used  to  kindle  a 
glow  of  patriotic  ardor  in  his  expanding  fea- 
tures. In  his  anticipations  our  country  was 
destined  to  be  not  merely  the  home  of  the  emi- 
grant, the  asylum  of  the  oppressed,  the  birth- 
place of  philosophers,  of  historians,  of  poets, 
and  of  orators ;  but,  most  of  all,  the  theatre  of 
grace,  the  empire  of  Emanuel.  With  this 
partiality  for  his  native  country,  and  amidst  the 
brightening  prospects  of  glowing  fancy,  what 
must  have  been  his  disappointment  and  grief 
when  he  almost  apprehends  the  rupture  of 
those  federal  ties  which  bind  these  States  to- 
gether! More  than  once  the  visions  of  the 
night  presented  to  his  disturbed  imagination 
the  gory  fields  of  battle.  The  political  conten- 
tions of  his  own  State  most  of  all  mortified  and 
harassed  him.  In  those  contentions  he  bore  no 
part  but  that  of  a  peace-maker.  With  this 
view,  he  matured  and  wrote  the  following  "  Plan 
for  redressing  our  grievances  and  uniting  the 
contending  parlies  of  our  State." 

'*  As  sin  is  the  cause  of  every  evil  that  comes 
on  man,  let  us  commence  by  extirpating  it  as 
far  as  possible. 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  113 

"  1st.  Let  both  parties  unite  in  keeping  the 
Lord's  day  holy. 

"  2d.  Let  both  parties  unite  in  electing  right- 
eous rulers,  men  who  fear  God. 

"  3d.  Let  them  unite  in  putting  down  infide- 
lity, error  of  every  sort,  and  vice  of  every  kind, 
and  in  fostering  religion  and  morality. 

*'  4th.  Let  us  unite  in  treating  our  slaves  hu- 
manely ;  especially  avoid,  when  possible,  sepa 
rating  husbands  and  wives,  parents  and  children. 
Let  us  teach  them  the  gospel  fully.  If  we  bring 
them  completely  under  the  influence  of  the 
doctrines  and  precepts  of  the  gospel,  this  will 
prevent  them  at  once  from  injuring  themselves 
or  us.  Let  them  know  that  the  Bible  contains 
the  will  of  the  Great  God ;  let  them  learn  to 
reverence  the  sacred  book;  let  them  be  judi- 
ciously taught  that  it  contains  the  command, 
*  Servants,  be  obedient  to  your  own  masters,' 
and  you  will  at  the  same  time  soften  their  na- 
tural ferocity,  and  make  them  contented  with 
their  lot. 

"  5th.  Let  both  parties  unite  to  spend  their 

surplus  funds  in   the  erection   of  factories,  by 

which  we  will  both  ward  off  the  evils  of  the 

tarifl"  and  at  the  same  time  enrich  our  State. 

10* 


114  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

These  arc  'peaceable  remedies.'  That  the 
Lord  may  put  it  into  the  hearts  of  all  concerned 
to  adopt  this  plan,  is  the  prayer  of 

"  A.  J.  Pearson." 

To  the  next  meeting  of  Congress  he  looked 
forward  v.ith  particular  solicitude,  apprehend- 
ing that  the  political  dissatisfaction  arising  in 
the  South  would  then  come  to  a  crisis.  In  a 
letter  to  a  friend,  he  utters  this  fervent  prayer: 
"  Oh  !  that  the  Lord  would  preside  in  our  coun- 
cils, and  dispose  our  rulers  to  enact  righteous 
laws,  justand  equal  for  each  State."  To  the  same 
friend,  with  regard  to  the  contest  then  pending, 
he  observes,  "  After  praying  to  be  directed,  I 
have  resolved  not  to  join  either  party.  This 
appears  to  be  my  duty,  because  when  a  minis- 
ter joins  one  party,  his  preaching  is  not  accept- 
able to  the  other  ;  therefore,  I  do  not  wish  to 
join  either,  or  do  any  thing  to  injure  the  gospel ; 
and  it  is  very  probable  when  I  become  a  minis- 
ter, I.  will  have  many  opportunities  of  address- 
ing both  parties," 

This  was,  indeed,  entirely  consistent  with  the 
character  of  one  who  was  a  follower,  and  who 
expected  to  be  a  minister,  of  Him  who  had 
affirmed  *' my  kingdom  is  not  of  this  world." 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  115 

In  this  dignified  neutrality  he  steadily  persisted, 
although,  at  the  approach  of  an  election,  his 
beloved  father  endeavored  to  induce  him  to 
violate  it.  Meekly,  but  promptly,  he  assured 
him  that  he  could  not  comply  with  his  wish, 
assigning  his  reasons  witli  so  much  conscien- 
tious firmness  and  force,  that  he  was  at  once 
convinced  that  his  son  was  in  the  right. 

About  nine  months  after  he  began  to  deliver 
lectures  to  the  church  at  Pacolet  on  the  cate- 
chism, a  revival  of  religion  commenced  in  that 
place,  that  greatly  cheered  his  heart.  An  ac- 
count of  this  time  of  refreshing,  we  find  in  a 
letter  to  the  Rev.  J.  L.  Kennedy,  their  former 
pastor,  dated, 

"  Spartanburgh,  So.  Ca.,  Nov.  26,  1832. 
"Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, — 

"  I  have  more  good  news  from  Pacolet.  On 
last  Friday  week,  Mr.  M.  went  with  me  to  Mr. 

W.  J ''s,  and  preached  at  night;  after    his 

sermon  I  delivered  an  exhortation.  We  saw 
clearly  that  the  spirit  of  the  Lord  was  moving 
on  the  hearts  of  the  people.  Saturday  was  a 
cold  rainy  day ;  notwithstanding  the  little  church 
flocked  together.    At  night  Mr.  M preached 


116  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

again  at  the  house  of  Mr.  W.  J .  On  Sab- 
bath the  anxious  were  called.  When  they  be- 
gan to  approach  in  greater  numbers  than  were 
expected,   professors   old  and  young  wept  for 

joy.     At  night  the  house  of  Mr.  M'B was 

crowded  ;  and  all  could  not  get  in.     Mr.  M 

delivered  an  excellent  lecture  on  the  parable  of 
the  ten  virgins ;  I  again  followed  with  an  ex- 
hortation. Mr.  M then  requested  profes- 
sors to  kneel,  in  order  to  pray  for  the  anxious  ; 
he  then  requested  the  anxious  to  kneel :  before 
he  finished  making  the  request,  they  began  to 
kneel  in  the  back  part  of  the  house ; — and  im- 
mediately the  whole  assembly,  as  far  as  we 
could  perceive,  was   prostrate   on   their  knees 

beg2:ing   for    mercy.     Mr.   M and   myself 

spent  Monday  in  visiting  families  ;  and  he 
preached  at  Mrs.  J 's  at  night.  On  Tues- 
day he  preached  at  the  church.  The  anxious 
were  again  invited  ;  and  the  elders  told  us  that 
all  in  the  house  who  were  not  professors,  either 
came  or  tried  to   come  to  the   anxious  seats, 

except  one.     Mr.  M preached  again  at  the 

house  of  Mr.  W.  J at  night.     Next  day  we 

passed  in  family  visitation ;  at  night  we  went 
to   the  Baptist   church.     There  was  an  over- 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  117 

whelming  congregation.     Mr.  L preached, 

and  Mr.  M exhorted ;  at  the  close  of  the 

meeting,  a  great  number  kneeled  down  to  be 
prayed  for.  This  is  a  hasty  sketch  of  the 
meeting.  There  are  many  things  more  that 
would  gladden  your  heart,  could  I  relate  them 
all.  All  things  were  conducted  orderly,  and 
there  was  no  excess  in  any  of  the  meetings. 

"After  the  congregation  was  dismissed  at  Mr. 

J 's  on  Tuesday  evening  ;  he  aiul  his  family 

all  seemed  to  be  rejoicing  together— two  more 
of  his  children,  a  son  and  a  daughter,  entertain 

a  hope.     Mrs.  J affectionately   requested 

me  to  give  you  an  account  of  the  meeting:  and 
most  cordially  added  with  tears  in  her  eyes,  "  it 
would  do  you  so  much  good."  I  repeat,  Oh, 
that  I  could  tell  you  all  the  interesting  circum- 
stances of  the  meeting!  In  all  that  region, 
there  is  scarcely  a  family  to  be  found,  in  which 
there  are  not  some  anxious  or  some  rejoicing. 
Oh,  that  I  could  give  you  the  names  of  all  the 
anxious,  that  you  might  remember  them  seve- 
rally at  the  throne  of  grace !" 


CHAPTER    IX. 

That  revival  resulted,  it  is  believed,  in  the 
sound  conversion  of  many  who  will  never  for- 
get the  prayers  and  exhortations  of  A.  J.  Pear- 
son. Soon  after  the  close  of  this  interesting 
season,  his  worthy  pastor  removed  to  Georgia. 
The  editor  of  these  memoirs  had,  about  one 
month  previously,  located  himself  at  Fairview, 
in  Greenville  District,  with  the  hope  of  regain- 
ing his  health.  After  Mr.  Dickson  had  resolved 
to  leave  Nazareth,  he  was  invited  to  visit  that 
church.  This  invitation  he  concluded  to  accept ; 
and,  accompanied  by  two  of  the  elders  of  Fair- 
view,  he  repaired  to  Nazareth.  The  first  even- 
ing he  spent  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Dickson,  who 
was  on  the  eve  of  departing  to  Georgia.  That 
evening,  he  had  the  first  sight  of  the  subject  of 
these  memoirs.  About  the  close  of  twilight, 
with  two  or  three  books  in  his  hands,  he  entered 
Mr.  Dickson's  house.  After  an  introduction, 
Mr.  Pearson  took  his  seat,  and  sat  in  silence- 
The  conversation  that  had  been  interrupted  by 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  119 

his  entrance,  proceeded ;  but  the  eyes  of  the 
writer  of  these  pages,  were  fixed  ahuost  exchi- 
sively  on  him.  There  was  nothing  remarkable 
in  his  person  or  his  features  ;  but  he  was  the 
very  image  of  simplicity,  sincerity,  and  meek- 
ness. His  eye  was  not  keen  and  searching,  nor 
did  it  seem  to  radiate  beams  of  transcendent 
genius  :  but  it  indicated  habitual  thoughtfulness, 
and  profound  reflection.  Had  one  met  him  in 
a  forest,  he  would  have  regarded  him  as  a  stu- 
dent. Had  he  first  viewed  him  in  a  large 
assembly  of  strangers,  he  would  have  recog- 
nised in  him  a  saint. 

Soon  after  the  departure  of  his  pastor,  Mr. 
Pearson  removed  to  Fairview,  to  pursue  the 
study  of  theology,  under  my  care.  Every  day's 
observation  confirmed  my  first  impressions 
respecting  him;  and  brought  him  nearer  to  my 
heart  as  a  conscientious,  firm,  and  zealous 
follower  of  the  Son  of  God. 

As  a  student  of  theology,  he  was  diligent 
almost  to  excess.  The  theological  course  which 
he  pursued,  completely  engrossed  his  mind  and 
his  heart.  In  his  studies,  he  was  aided  chiefly 
by  Medulla  Markii  and  Ridgely's  Body  of  Di- 
vinity.    Twice  every  week  he  recited  a  portion 


120  SOUTHERN     CHRISTIAN. 

of  the  New  Testament,  carefully  and  critically 
studied  ;  which  he  was  able  thoroughly  to  ana- 
lyze. As  often,  and  in  the  same  manner,  he 
read  a  part  of  the  Old  Testament  in  the  original 
language.  Four  times  in  the  week  he  discussed 
some  point  in  theology.  After  which  I  pro- 
posed questions  connected  with  the  subject, 
allowing  him  the  liberty  of  doing  the  same.  On 
Friday  he  gave  a  concise  view  of  the  opinions 
of  one  or  both  of  the  above  named  authors? 
respecting  some  of  the  more  abstruse  doctrines 
of  theology.  Having  a  very  retentive  memory, 
and  a  natural  promptitude  in  the  acquisition  of 
lano[uae:es,  he  read  both  Hebrew  and  Greek 
with  accuracy  and  ease.  As  he  had  known  the 
Scriptures  from  a  child,  and  read  them  frequent- 
ly with  care  and  delight,  there  was  no  part  of 
them  with  which  he  was  not  familiarly  ac- 
quainted. Hence  could  he,  after  a  little  reflec- 
tion, collect,  arrange,  and  repeat  all  the  pas- 
sages, by  which  any  doctrine  was  supported. 
Respecting  all  the  parts  of  the  Bible  which  to 
him  appeared  obscure,  besides  examining  the 
original  languages,  he  had  consulted  several  of 
the  best  Commentators.  It  was  his  custom, 
when  reading  the  word  of  God,  if  any  paragraph 


SOUTHERN     CHRISTIAN,  121 

occurred,  which  he  did  not  fully  understand,  to 
mark  it  and  keep  a  memorandum  of  it,  never 
dismissing  it,  until  his  inquisitive  mind  found 
rest  in  some  satisfactory  exposition.  His  cleri- 
cal friends,  who  knew  him  intimately,  will  re- 
collect some  of  the  numerous  questions  which 
he  proposed  to  them,  on  such  subjects.  Thus 
"did  he  study  to  show  himself  approved  unto 
God,  a  workman  that  needeth  not  to  be 
ashamed;  rightly  dividing  the  word  of  truth." 
To  this  custom  he  was  not  prompted  by  mere 
curiosity;  he  was  solicitous  to  know  the  whole 
revealed  will  of  God,  that  it  might  influence  and 
shape  his  mind  and  his  conscience,  his  heart 
and  his  life ;  and  through  him  extend  its  gra- 
cious power  to  others. 

At  Fairview,  he  lodged  with  Mr.  P.  The 
situation  was  retired,  the  family  small,  and 
every  thing  agreeable  to  his  taste.  But  there 
was  one  thing  wanting.  The  little  family  cir- 
cle did  not  bow  around  the  altar  of  God.  Diffi- 
dent and  reserved,  like  himself,  Mr.  P.  hesitates 
to  mention  the  affair.  On  the  other  hand  Mr, 
Pearson  knows  not  how  the  proposal  would  be 
received,  if  made  by  him.  At  length  a  sense 
of  duty  constrained  him  ;  he  delicately  suggests 

U 


122  SOUTHERN     CHRISTIAN. 

the  matter  to  Mr.  P. — he  readily  assents, — the 
family  is  collected,  and  the  worship  of  God  is 
introduced.  Thus,  like  the  patriarchs,  wherever 
our  young  and  devoted  Christian  dwelt,  he 
erected  an  altar  to  the  Lord. 

At  the  opening  of  the  spring  of  1833,  there 
was  a  Sabbath  school  established  at  Fairview, 
which  enlisted  the  feelings  of  the  whole  congre- 
gation :  and  was  conducted  with  more  spirit  and 
success  than  perhaps  any  other  institution  of 
this  kind,  on  this  side  of  the  Potomac,  located 
in  a  country  place.  Of  this  Sabbath  school 
Mr.  Pearson  was  appointed  superintendent. 
The  influence  of  the  prayers  which  he  uttered, 
and  the  addresses  which  he  delivered,  abides  yet 
on  the  hearts  of  almost  all. 

As  usual,  he  felt  a  deep  concern  for  the  spi- 
ritual welfare  of  the  people  of  color.  Having 
obtained  the  permission  of  the  session  of  the 
Church,  during  the  summer  season,  he  frequently 
assembled  them  at  the  stand  ;  from  which  he 
delivered  exhortations,  which  brought  them  in 
greater  numbers  to  the  house  of  God  ;  which 
taught  them,  in  some  degree,  to  reverence  the 
Sabbath  day,  to  respect  their  owners  and  them- 
selves.    The  influence  which  he  exerted  over 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  1 

them  is  still  visible  among  them.  In  the  alTec- 
tionate  remembrance  of  ixiany,  he  still  lives  : 
and  some,  I  trust,  vrill  yet  ascribe  their  first  im- 
pressions to  his  compassionate  zeal.  Before  the 
close  of  the  year,  having-  obtained  my  consent, 
he  returned  to  Spartanb'^rgh,  to  gratify  an  aged 
grandmother,  to  pursue  his  studies  in  the  bosom 
of  his  father's  family,  amidst  retreats  endeared 
to  him  by  fellowship  with  God, — to  watch  over 
the  spiritual  interests  of  his  father's  colored 
people ;  and,  most  of  all,  to  be  within  reach  of 
his  dear  little  flock  at  Pacolet.  The  same  course 
of  study,  with  very  little  alteration,  he  continued 
at  home,  which  he  had  commenced  at  Fairview. 
He  still  considered  himself  under  my  care, 
though  we  seldom  met  more  frequently  than 
twice  a  month,  at  the  stated  times  when  I 
preached  at  Nazareth,  During  the  winter,  his 
spirit  was  unusually  devout.  An  affection  of 
the  head,  which  assumed  some  of  the  symptoms 
of  one  which  at  an  early  period  had  threatened 
his  life,  made  him  to  feel  more  entirely  his  de- 
pendence on  God,  and  the  vanity  of  all  human 
attainments  and  prospects. 

This  indisposition  turned  his  mind  more  en- 
tirely than  ever  to  a  foreign  mission.     As  far 


124  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

as  I  know,  this  subject  was  not  mentioned  to 
more  than  one  person  until  his  recovery,  when 
he  ventured  to  intimate  it  to  myself.  He  was 
bent  on  going  to  Columbia  at  the  opening  of 
spring  (1834).  His  father  had  labored,  to  no 
purpose,  to  dissuade  him.  He  still  persisted, 
though  the  roads  were  extremely  bad,  and  the 
season  rainy  and  exceedingly  unpleasant.  While 
I  was  expostulating  with  him  on  the  risk  there 
would  be  in  exposing  his  feeble  health  at  that 
uncomfortable  season,  to  show  that  he  was  not 
obstinate,  he  informed  me  that  he  believed  that 
God  was  calling  him  to  occupy  some  station 
among  the  heathen  ;  and  that  he  wished  to  visit 
Columbia,  to  obtain  information  on  that  subject, 
before  the  meeting  of  Presbytery. 

I  thought,  by  all  means,  he  ought  to  decline 
going  to  Columbia  at  that  period  ;  and  advised 
him  to  obtain  the  information  he  needed  by  let- 
ter. He  yielded  to  my  counsel,  and  remained 
at  home. 

Now  he  becomes  more  intensely  devout  than 
ever.  His  whole  soul  is  fixed  on  the  great  work 
in  which  he  expects  soon  to  be  employed.  He 
has  almost  in  readiness  his  closing  trials,  to  be 
exhibited  before  Presbytery  at  its  next  meeting. 


SOUTHERN     CHRISTIAN.  125 

and  but  two  short  weeks  intervene.  As  the 
intervening"  time  elapses,  each  day  finds  him 
nearer  heaven.  Oh,  how  much  grace  does  he 
i;:)w  need!  In  his  trembling  heart  he  asks, 
*'  Who  is  sufficient  for  these  things  ?"  And  no- 
thing could  have  induced  him  to  advance  a  step 
further,  had  not  his  mighty  Redeemer  assured 
him  "My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee;"  and 
"  Lo  !  I  am  with  thee  always." 

The  destined,  interesting  moment  at  length 
arrives.  Having  been  now  two  years  under  the 
care  of  Presbytery — having  passed  through  an 
examination  on  the  sciences  and  ancient  lan- 
guages, on  theology  and  ecclesiastical  history — 
having  given  several  specimens  of  his  capacity 
to  expound  the  Scriptures,  in  exegeses,  lectures, 
and  sermons,  the  last  of  which  was  delivered  in 
public  ;  and  having,  above  all,  given  testimo- 
nials of  his  good  moral  character,  his  experi- 
mental acquaintance  with  religion,  and  his 
being  called  of  God  to  assume  the  sacred  office, 
and  all  having  met  the  hearty  approval  of 
Presbytery  ; — the  moderator  rises  from  his  s'  at: 
before  him  stands  the  pensive  candidate,  with  a 
countenance,  every  feature  of  which  told  the 
responsibility    of  a  herald    of  the  cross.      In 


126  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

.answer  to  questions  proposed  by  the  moderator, 
he  makes  a  public  profession  of  his  faith.    The 
venerable  moderator  then,  surrounded  by  his 
brethren  in  the  ministry,  the  ruling  elders,  and 
several  private  members  of  the  Clmrch,  spreads 
his  hands  abroad,  and  lifts  his  voice  to  heaven 
in  behalf  of  our  young  brother,  who  is  about 
to    take  part  with  us  in  the  proclamation  of 
mercy  to  a  dying  world ; — "  That  the  Lord  may 
set  him  apart  for  himself — fully  qualify  him  for 
his    office — give   him  a  mouth   and  a  wisdom 
which  the  adversaries  of  truth  cannot  gainsay 
— make  him  a  comfort  to  the  Church,  a  blessing 
to  the  world ;  in  a  word,   make  him  '  faithful 
unto  death,  and  then  give  him  a  crown  of  life.'" 
The  heart  of  our  serious  candidate  melts  while 
it  rises  to  heaven  with  the  fervent  importunity 
of  the  moderator,  and  to  his  deliberate  and  so- 
lemn Amen,  it  responds  "  Amen." 

With  an  air  of  majesty  suited  to  his  high  rank 
as  a  minister  of  the  Son  of  God,  and  with  a  com- 
passionate regard  to  the  frailty  of  a  young  bro- 
ther, who  was  ready  to  sink  under  the  weight 
of  an  office  which  an  angel  could  scarcely  sus- 
tain, the  moderator  gravely,  distinctly,  and 
aftectionately  uttered  the  consecrating  address: 


SOUTHERN    CHRISTIAN.  127 

"  In  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  by 
that  authority  which  he  hath  given  to  the  Church 
for  its  edification,  Ave  do  license  you  to  preach 
the  Gospel  wherever  God  in  his  providence 
nmy  call  5rou ;  and  for  this  purpose,  may  the 
'olessing  of  God  rest  upon  you,  and  the  Spirit 
of  Christ  fill  your  heart.     Amen." 

"  Now,"  our  young  Christian  says  within  him- 
self,"! am  the  Lord's  forever."  From  that  solemn 
period,  he  seemed  to  feel  with  unusual  force 
that  he  was  "not  his  own." 

He  is  immediately  employed  by  Presbytery 
as  a  domestic  missionary ;  and  the  very  next 
day  he  commences  his  labors.* 

The  bounds  of  the  Presbytery  described  the 
sphere  of  his  labors.  All  our  destitute  Churches 
shared  in  his  sympathies,  and  were  refreshed  by 
his  visits.  In  the  several  districts  included  in 
this  Presbytery,  he  "  fully  preached  the  Gospel 

*  My  brethren  who  are  well  acquainted  with  our  ec- 
clesiastical affairs  will  readily  excuse  this  minute  detail, 
when  they  recollect,  that  this  little  volume  will  fall  into 
the  hands  of  many  who  are  prejudiced  against  our  method 
of  preparing  our  candidates  for  the  pulpit,  merely  because 
they  do  not  fully  understand  it.  Besides,  I  trust  it  may 
prove  useful  to  candidates  themselves. 


128  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN- 

of  Christ"  Though  he  lived  but  five  short 
months  after  his  licensure,  yet  in  that  brief 
period  he  did  "the  work  of  an  evangelist,"  and 
made  full  proof  of  his  ministry.  In  his  sermons 
he  was  at  once  doctrinal  and  practical.  As  in 
his  life,  so  in  his  sermons,  every  doctrine  led  to 
practice.  His  manner  was  always  solemn, 
affectionate,  and  persuasive ;  sometimes  pun- 
gent, powerful,  irresistible.  To  eloquence  he 
made  no  pretension  ;  but  frequently  rose  above 
his  aim,  and  surpassed  the  hopes  of  his  friends. 
Simplicity  characterized  every  thing  he  said  or 
did.  It  appeared  in  his  thoughts,  in  their  ar- 
rangement, in  his  illustrations,  in  his  lansruage; 
in  a  word,  in  every  thing.  'SVTien,  therefore,  he 
was  animated,  his  animation  was  natural ;  when 
pathetic,  his  pathos  was  an  effusion  of  nature. 
Pomp  and  display  he  avoided,  as  we  would  a 
pestilence.  Affectation  he  abhorred,  as  we  do 
hypocrisy.  His  manner  was  not,  therefore 
imposinor  and  commanding.  While  it  gained 
attention,  it  left  the  heart  unguarded,  until  taken 
by  surprise.  WTien  eloquent,  it  was  his  heart 
that  spoke  ;  and  the  hearts  of  his  hearers  moved 
or  rnelted  with  his.  The  tones  of  the  gentler 
passions  he  well  understood.    He  never  studied 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  129 

them;  nature  taught  him.  We  would  say  that 
he  was  the  child  of  nature,  did  not  religion 
oblige  us  to  rise  one  step  higher,  and  say  he 
was  a  child  of  grace. 

Hence,  in  his  preaching,  his  subject  was  more 
seen  than  himself — A.  J.  Pearson  less  visible 
than  Christ.  He  preached,  not  himself,  but 
Christ  Jesus  the  Lord. 

To  all  the  saints  who  heard  him,  his  dis- 
courses were  peculiarly  savory,  truly  a  "  savor 
of  life  unto  life."  Most  of  the  commendation 
received  from  the  ungodly  was  like  that  which 
his  king  bestowed  on  Massilon — "  Whenever  I 
hear  you,  I  go  away  condemning  myself"  No 
wonder,  therefore,  that  all  the  churches  received 
him  as  a  messenger  of  Christ.  And  it  was  not 
strange  that  every  destitute  church  in  our 
bounds  wished  to  obtain  a  share  in  his  stated 
labors.  Nor  was  it  astonishing  that  a  vacant 
church,  assembled  to  hear  him  preach,  should 
dissolve  into  tears,  when  they  heard  that  their 
beloved  missionary  was  no  more.  "  Such  a 
weeping,"  said  one  of  the  elders  present  on  that 
occasion,  "  I  never  saw  before." 

It  is  an  affecting  fact,  that  his  last  sermon 
was  delivered  to  his  dear  little  flock  at  Pacolet, 


130  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

where  the  Lord  had  so  signally  bleat  his  ex- 
hortations, before  he  was  licensed  to  preach. 
That  had  been  his  Nebo,  and  there  he  had  put 
off  his  robes.  That  Sabbath  was  the  fourth 
Sabbath  of  August,  (1834).  On  Monday  he  re- 
turned to  his  father's.  His  watchful  mother 
thought  she  saw  symptoms  of  unusual  lassitude; 
but  he  uttered  no  complaint.  On  Tuesday  his 
complexion  was  very  sallow  ;  but  there  was  no 
other  indication  of  disease.  At  the  close  of  day 
he  met  the  family  around  their  altar,  which  he 
himself  had  erected ;  and  there,  with  a  devout 
heart  and  strong  feelings,  he  performed  his  last 
public  service.  That  night  he  was  restless — 
slept  none,  but  complained  little.  On  Wednes- 
day he  could  no  longer  conceal  his  indisposi- 
tion, and  a  physician  was  called  in.  That 
morning  he  wrote  with  his  pencil,  under  the 
influence  of  high  fever,  some  verses,  intimating 
that  he  anticipated  his  disease  would  bring  the 
body  down,  but  raise  the  spirit  up — would  give 
pain  to  his  flesh,  but  comfort  to  his  heart. 
About  noon  the  doctor  arrived,  and  promptly 
prescribed  medicine,  which  was  given  forthwith, 
and  operated  well.  At  night  was  composed, 
and  slept  a  little.    On  Thursday  he  was  restless, 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  131 

but  seemed  not  to  suffer  violent  pain  :  at  night 
his  fever  rose,  and  he  became  exceedingly 
thirsty.  On  Friday  his  fever  continued,  and  it 
was  thought  necessary  to  administer  more  me- 
dicine. All  that  day  he  spoke  little  :  appeared 
to  be  much  engaged  in  prayer.  Saturday  morn- 
ing he  was  extremely  feeble,  but  felt  no  pain. 
In  the  evening  his  fever  rose  in  some  degree, 
attended  with  a  singular  drowsiness:  whenever 
nature  yielded,  and  he  fell  asleep,  he  imme- 
diately awaked  as  one  in  the  act  of  strangling, 
panting  for  breath.  This  unaccountable  change 
gave  the  family  the  first  alarm.  Sabbath  morn- 
ing he  was  tranquil ;  spoke  of  his  appointment 
for  Saturday  and  that  day  ;  said  he  would  like  to 
be  at  his  work,  for  he  loved  it.  His  mother  said, 
"  Give  yourself  entirely  to  the  Lord,  for  he 
knows  what  is  best  for  you."  He  closed  his 
eyes,  as  if  engaged  in  prayer,  and  answered 
only  by  expressive  silence.  About  noon  his 
extremities  became  cold,  followed  by  cold  per- 
spiration. About  this  time,  he  expressed  an 
earnest  desire  to  have  an  opportunity  of  hold- 
ing a  private  conversation  with  a  friend,  who 
had  just  left  his  room,  who  he  feared  might  be 
led  captive  by  Satan  at  his  will.  At  the  request 


132  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

of  the  family,  Mr.  D.,  a  member  of  the  Church 
of  N.,  prayed  for  our  dear  brother,  who  was 
now  regarded  by  all  as  near  the  hour  of  his  dis- 
solution. During  the  time  of  prayer,  Mr.  Pear- 
son raised  his  head,  supported  it  by  his  arm, 
and  listened  with  unremitted  attention.  After 
this  his  strength  declined  apace,  his  pulse  be- 
came irregular,  his  respiration  quicker,  and  he 
felt  the  approach  of  death.  After  lying  as  if  in 
fixed  attention  for  a  few  minutes,  starting  a  lit- 
tle, he  said,  "  the  Saviour  is  calling  for  his  fol- 
lowers." His  mother  replied,  "  I  hope  you  are 
one  of  them."  He  made  no  reply;  but  the 
calm  which  spread  over  his  livid  countenance 
seemed  to  say,  "  I  trust  I  am."  Looking  up, 
with  a  hope  that  shed  a  lustre  over  his  glassy 
eye,  he  exclaimed,  "O  blessed  Judge  !"  Wilh 
melting  tenderness  his  father  said,  "  Do  you  wish 
to  be  with  him?"  He  replied,  "  Oh,  yes  !"  His 
mother  is  near;  his  eye  often  turns  to  her;  he 
seems  to  sympathize  tenderly  with  her  in  her 
ffrief.  She  ventures  to  fix  her  moist  eye  on  his 
pale  face,  and  ask,  •'  My  son,  are  you  willing  to 
leave  us  all  ?"  Firmly  and  without  hesitation 
he  answered,  "Yes."  Her  heart  dissolved  in 
tenderness,  and  she  strove  to  say,  "  Thy  will  be 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  133 

done."  Still  was  his  languicj  eye  turned  to  her. 
At  length  he  seemed  to  lose  sight  of  weeping 
relatives  and  friends.  His  pale  quivering  lips 
still  moved  in  prayer,  two  words  of  Avhich  he 
articulated  aloud — "  last  nation.'"  A  mother's 
heart  readily  conceived  the  rest.  She  imagined, 
and  no  doiibt  correctly,  that  he  was  praying 
that  Emanuel  would  extend  his  conquests  until 
he  would  vanquish  the  "  last  nation." 

So  frequently  and  so -fervently  did  he  pray 
for  the  conversion  of  the  pagan  world,  that  all 
his  most  intimate  friends  believe,  that  he  died 
praying  for  the  salvation  of  poor  lost  heathens. 
In  the  midst  of  his  last  prayer,  his  pulse  stopped, 
his  breathing  ceased.  There  was  no  convulsive 
struggle ;  no  limb,  no  feature  moved,  when  the 
unseen  spirit  bid  adieu  to  earth.  On  the  last 
day  of  August,  (1834,)  at  five  o'clock,  on  the 
Sabbath  day,  the  day  he  so  much  loved,,  Anthony 
Jefferson  Pearson  rested  from  his  labors :  and 
his  surviving  friends,  with  one  accord,  were 
ready  to  exclaim,  "  Let  my  last  end  be  like 
his."  The  next  day,  amidst  a  concourse  of 
afflicted  relatives  and  friends,  his  body  was 
conveyed  to  the  silent  tomb,  and  interred  near 
the  church  where  he  was  baptized.     Not  long 

12 


134  SOUTHERN     CHRISTIAN. 

after,  the  Editor  preached  his  funeral  sermon 
from  Rom.  xiv.  7,  8 :  "  For  none  of  us  liveth 
to  himself,  and  no  man  dieth  to  himself:  for 
whether  we  live,  we  live  unto  the  Lord ;  and 
whether  we  die,  we  die  unto  the  Lord:  Avhether 
we  live,  therefore,  or  die,  we  are  the  Lord's." 


CHAPTER   X. 

Such  was  Anthony  Jefferson  Pearson.  He 
lived  beloved  and  died  regretted  by  all.  We 
may  naturally  be  asked,  Why  was  he  so  highly 
esteemed  ?  What  peculiar  attractions  had  he 
that  gained  the  admiration  and  love  of  such 
multitudes? 

His  person,  which  was  rather  below  the 
middle  size,  had  nothing  prepossessing  or  com- 
manding. Having  all  the  reserve  of  a  cloistered 
student,  there  was  nothing  attractive  in  his 
manners.  In  company  he  was  generally  silent, 
unless  religion  was  the  topic.  He  had  no  sallies 
of  wit ;  at  least,  he  indulged  in  none.  In  a 
word,  he  had  none  of  the  colloquial  graces;  and 
this,  in  the  estimation  of  his  wisest  friends,  was 
his  greatest  defect.  This  defect  he  perceived 
and  lamented,  and  made  many  an  effort  to  cor- 
rect. As  a  speaker,  he  was  aided  by  none  of 
the  graces  of  elocution.  His  gravity  in  the 
pulpit  gained  attention ;  and  in  the  progress  of 
his  discourse,  his  increasing  warmth  fixed  it ; 


136  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

but  no  adventitious  aid  did  he  derive  from  grace- 
ful gestures  or  a  melodious  voice.  As  to  genius, 
he  was  rather,  above  mediocrity.  His  under- 
standing was  not  rapid  in  its  movements  ;  but, 
after  deliberation,  was  judicious  and  clear.  His 
memory,  whether  it  related  to  words  or  things, 
was  uncommonly  retentive.  His  passions  were 
so  well  regulated,  that  to  those  who  never  had 
been  present  while  he  was  engaged  in  some  re- 
ligious exercise,  he  appeared  to  have  none.  His 
fancy  was  sometimes  lively,  but  never  vivid  and 
glowing.  Flis  style  was  plain,  sometimes  neat, 
sometimes  nervous  ;  but  never  elegant.  In  fine, 
if  we  except  a  good  mind,  nature  had  done  very 
little  for  him.  In  him  grace  was  every  thing. 
With  as  much  emphasis  as  St.  Paul,  could  he 
have  said,  "  By  the  grace  of  God,  I  am  what 
I  am." 

In  him  the  grace  of  God  appeared — 
1.  In  profound  humility.  This  virtue  he 
possessed  in  such  a  degree,  that  his  deficiency 
in  it  was  visible  to  no  one  but  himself.  While, 
in  the  estimation  of  his  friends,  he  had  no  rea- 
son to  pray  as  Henry  Martin  did,  "  Oh  for  a 
willingness  to  be  despised !"  in  his  own  view, 
he  was  deeply  humbled  on  account  of  his  want 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  137 

of  humility.  He  had  verily  no  pretensions.  He 
never  desired  or  sought,  but  always  dreaded 
and  shunned  applause.  Hence  that  which  he 
never  sought  always  pursued  him,  and  because 
he  sought  it  not. 

In  him  the  grace  of  God  appeared — 

2.  In  constant  and  uninterrupted  meekness. 
No  provocation  whatever  kindled  at  any  time 
in  his  cheeks  the  hectic  glow  of  anger.  He  re- 
garded no  man  as  an  enemy.  If  any  one  as- 
sumed the  attitude  of  a  foe,  it  only  brought  him 
nearer  to  his  heart.  Prejudices  he  had  none ; 
if  he  had,  no  one  ever  saw  them  but  God.  No- 
thing among  his  intimate  friends  grieved  him 
so  much  as  the  slightest  vestige  of  resentment. 
Almost  every  other  foible  he  could  overlook ; 
but  that  he  always  reproved. 

In  him  the  grace  of  God  appeared — 

3.  In  a  candor  that  was  truly  Christian.  He 
had  no  disguise.  Never  did  he  cherish  in  his 
heart  one  emotion  towards  any  one,  which  lay 
concealed  there.  Never  did  he  attempt  to  clothe 
any  of  his  faults  in  the  garb  of  virtue.  All  his 
foibles  which  mioht  affect  others  he  readilv 
acknov/ledged;  one  case  of  this  kind  we  have 

already  recorded  (page  46).    We  may  now  add 

12* 


138  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN, 

another.  Having,  in  conversation,  mentioned 
to  a  particular  friend  some  of  his  juvenile  follies, 
without  relating  all  the  circumstances ;  on  re- 
flection it  appeared  to  him  that  his  statement 
was  rather  an  apology  for  his  youthful  indis- 
cretions than  an  acknowledgement  of  them;  he 
therefore  felt  himself  conscientiously  bound  to 
give  his  friend  the  whole  narrative,  attended 
with  an  humbling  confession  of  his  error.  In 
this  he  closely  followed  him  who  did  na  sin, 
"  neither  was  guile  found  in  his  mouth.^^ 
In  him  the  grace  of  God  appeared — 
4.  In  a  diffusive  benevolence.  That  benevo- 
lence first  embraced  the  afflicted,  whom  he  at- 
tempted to  relieve  by  prayers,  by  tracts,  by  re- 
citing the  promises  of  the  God  of  all  comfort. 
Next,  his  compassion  extended  to  the  poor;  to 
them  he  was  prompt  to  carry  a  Bible,  or  a  tract, 
or  any  other  relief  that  his  purse  or  his  heart 
could  give.  Then  his  sympathies  gathered 
around  the  slave,  who  was  without  God  and 
without  hope  in  the  world.  Next,  the  levity 
and  waywardness  of  children  awakened  his 
pity,  and  prompted  him  to  stretch  forth  both 
hands  to  gather  them,  first  into  the  Sabbath 
school,  and  afterwards  into  the  fold  of  Christ. 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  139 

But  the  warm  charities  of  his  heart,  could  not 
be  confined  to  one  community ;  they  were 
bounded  only  by  the  limits  of  human  woes. 
But  amidst  his  yearning  compassions,  the  de- 
graded Bacchanal  and  the  disconsolate  Pagan, 
lay  nearest  to  his  heart,  Had  he  lived,  no 
doubt  his  influence  would  have  been  felt  on  the 
other  side  of  the  globe.  His  expanded  heart 
would  never  have  been  satisfied  until  it  had  '  a 
nation  for  its  congregation.'  A  missionary 
doubtless  he  would  have  been.  He  who  died 
praying  for  the  heathen  would,  had  he  lived, 
have  done  much  more  than  pray. 

Again  the  grace  of  God  appeared  in  him — 
5.  In  the  compassionate  allowance  which  he 
made  for  the  failings  of  others.  He  never  took 
up,  nor  did  he  ever  give  circulation  to,  an  evil 
report.  On  every  action  which  the  public  con- 
demned, he  was  ready  to  place  the  best  con- 
struction, if  any  such  it  would  bear.  Calumny 
never  proceeded  from  his  lips,  nor  could  it  in 
his  presence  fall  from  the  lips  of  others  without 
a  rebuke.  If,  on  any  occasion,  he  heard  the 
character  of  others  traduced  without  defending 
them,  or  rcbukincr  the  slanderer;  he  afterwards 
bitterly  condemned  himself.     Of  all  unjust  cen- 


140  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

sure,  that  grieved  him  most  which  wantonly 
fell  on  the  ministers  of  the  sanctuary,  or  the 
members  of  the  Church.  Tatiers  and  slan- 
derers, however  plausible,  were  in  his  judg- 
ment associated  with  serpents  and  alligators, 
panthers  and  wolves.  Being  thus  so  far  re- 
moved from  the  regions  of  slander;  no  one  had 
ever  occasion,  by  way  of  retaliation,  to  slander 
him. 

In  him  the  grace  of  God  appeared — 
6.  In  a  spirit  truly  Catholic.  Among  the 
various  denominations  of  Christians,  he  was 
tenderly  attached  to  the  followers  of  Christ 
wherever  he  found  them.  If  they  bore  the  image 
and  breathed  the  spirit  of  Christ,  with  him  they 
needed  no  other  recommendation.  In  remarks 
made  respecting  the  professors  of  religion  in 
other  churches,  he  never  took  a  part ;  but  uni- 
formly checked  them,  by  expressive  silence,  a 
gentle  frown,  or  a  mild  rebuke.  A  similar 
course  he  constantly  pursued  -with  regard  to 
observations  made  about  ministers  who  wanted 
the  advantages  of  education.  He  maintained, 
that  it  was  utterly  inconsistent  with  the  sanctity 
of  the  Sabbath  or  of  the  house  of  God,  to  sit  as 
critics;   where  we   should   rather  go  to  learn 


SOUTHERN     CHRISTIAN.  HI 

and  correct  our  own  faults.  For  the  spiritual 
welfare  of  all  the  churches,  he  fervently  prayed. 
When  religion  flourished,  and  the  word  of  the 
Loud  had  free  course  and  was  glorified  among 
them ;  he  rejoiced  in  their  joy.  When  among 
them  religion  languished,  dissensions  arose, 
professions  stumbled ;  he  received  the  news 
with  a  dejected  countenance  and  an  afHicted 
heart.  The  cause  of  Christ  every  where  was 
his  own.  His  best  interests  were  identified 
with  those  of  the  Church.  So  true  is  it  that 
they  who  have  the  most  religion  have  the  most 
charity.  And  they  hav  the  least  sectarian 
spirit,  who  are  nearest  heaven ;  for  there  is  none 
of  it  there. 

In  him  the  grace  of  God  appeared — 
7th.  In  an  enlightened,  vigorous,  unwearied 
zeal,  the  object  of  which  was  the  glory  of 
Christ  and  the  enlargement  of  the  Church. 
In  the  midst  of  the  most  diligent  prosecution 
of  his  studies,  he  had  leisure  every  day  to  de- 
vise, or  mature,  or  in  part  execute,  some  plan 
of  uspfulness.  At  ono.  time  he  is  occupied  with 
the  best  method  of  conducting  Sabbath  schools, 
and  devises  a  plan  for  the  most  profitable  ma- 
nagement and  distribution  of  the  library,  so  as 


142  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

at  once  to  awaken  the  curiosity  and  excite  the 
emulation  of  the  pupils.  At  another  time  he 
digests  the  scheme  of  a  tract  society,  in  which 
he  united  economy  with  a  more  thorough  and 
extensive  distribution.  Again  he  is  employed 
in  forming  and  maturing  a  system  of  benevolent 
exertion  for  the  South,  combining  several  ob- 
jects, domestic  and  foreign,  so  as  to  meet  the 
partialities  and  shun  the  prejudices  of  those 
who  might  unite  in  its  support.  At  one  time, 
his  heart  is  fixed  on  the  amelioration  of  the 
condition  of  the  colored  people  of  the  South; 
and  often  did  he  pause  to  ask :  What  can  be 
done  ?  What  at  least  should  I  do  ?  To  the  last 
question  he  answered  by  his  practice :  for  out 
of  the  word  of  God  he  taught  them  publicly 
and  from  house  to  house.  At  another  time 
he  forms  and  aids  in  conducting  a  prayer  meet- 
ing for  youth ;  and  in  it  offers  up  many  a  fer- 
vent prayer,  and  delivers  many  a  persuasive 
address. 

His  zeal  was  not  like  the  lightning,  irregular 
in  its  appearance  and  movements ;  nor  like  the 
meteor,  that  blazes  suddenly  and  as  suddenly 
expires :  but  rather,  like  the  dim  crescent  of 
the  new  moon,  that  advances  night  after  night, 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  I43 

until,  full  orbed,  "  the  planets  are  lost  in  her 
blaze."  The  zeal  of  our  Southern  Christian 
like  the  sun,  brightened  as  it  rose;  but  unlike 
the  sun,  it  set  at  noon. 

In  him  the  grace  of  God  appeared — 
8th.  In  a  noble  independence  of  spirit. 
The  spirit  of  the  world,  public  sentiment 
when  incorrect,  the  erring  'laws  of  honor'  had 
no  influence  over  him.  His  course  was  pre- 
scribed by  his  Bible ;  the  will  of  God  was  his 
paramount  authority,  A  judicious  understand- 
ing, a  discriminating  conscience,  a  sterling  in- 
tegrity, were  his  counsellors  and  guides.  When 
he  needed  counsel,  he  sought  it  among  the 
most  pious,  in  his  Bible  and  in  Heaven;  but 
elsewhere  he  sought  it  not.  His  independent 
spirit  appears,  in  the  firmness  and  promptness 
with  which  he  opposed  vice,  fashionable  or  un- 
fashionable, whatever  shape  it  might  assume. 
It  also  shone  in  his  regular  and  constant  ad- 
herence to  Christ  crucified,  every  where  and  at 
all  times.  But  most  of  all  was  it  conspicuous 
in  his  high  resolve,  to  dedicate  himself  to  God 
in  a  Foreign  Mission.  Here  like  Abdiel  in  the 
revolt  of  heaven,  'he  stood  alone.'  His  fathers 
in   the    ministry,  thought    that    the    destitute 


144  SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN 

placc3  of  our  Southern  Zion,  had  the  first  claim 
to  his  services ;  so  thought,  in  their  very  hearts, 
the  destitute  churches.  So  thought  the  editor, 
who  once  imagined  that  he  could  exert  an  in- 
fluence over  our  young  Christian,  as  great  as 
any  other  man.  All  his  relatives,  and  they 
were  numerous,  and  almost  all  his  friends, 
stood  opposed  to  the  accomplishment  of  his 
design.  The  warm  affections  of  a  father,  a 
mother,  a  grandmother,  and  a  sister,  seized  him 
with  violence,  to  detain  him  at  home.  But  all, 
all  could  not  shake  his  purpose.  The  editor 
remembers  well,  and  with  deep  regret  too,  his 
effort  to  move  his  purpose,  because  he  knew 
not  then  how  deeply  it  was  fixed.  His  opi- 
nion, which  heretofore  was  treated  with  great 
respect  by  our  Southern  Christian,  had  in  this 
case  little  more  influence,  than  the  v/ave  of 
ocean  that  dashes  and  breaks  against  the  fast 
anchored  rock.  The  attempt  he  did  not — he 
could  not  renew;  his  heart  told  him,  that  the 
steadfast  purpose  of  our  hero  was  of  the  Lord. 
In  him  the  grace  of  God  appeared — 
9th,  In  a  spirit  remarkably  devout.  It  was 
his  custom,  for  many  months  previous  to  the 
close  of  his  life,  to  retire  regularly  three  times 


t^^*e    f\ 


SOUTHERN       CHRISTIAN.  145 

a  day,  for  private  devotion.  On  Sabbath  day, 
when  he  returned  from  the  house  of  God,  as 
well  as  before  he  went  thither,  he  claimed  an 
hour  for  retirement:  before  he  went  to  the 
church,  he  earnestly  sought  the  blessing  of 
Heaven  for  the  minister  and  the  services  of  the 
sanctuary :  after  he  returned  home,  having  re- 
viewed and  applied  to  himself  what  he  heard,  he 
importunately  prayed  that  it  might  abide  and 
live  in  his  heart,  and  in  other  hearts.  With 
regard  to  a  devout  temper,  every  day  was  a 
Sabbath  to  him;  for  his  time  was  all  sacred 
time,  all  the  Lord's  time;  but  on  the  Sabbath 
day  a  deeper  shade  of  solemnity  seemed  to, 
overspread  his  countenance.  During  the  week 
he  seemed  to  have  little  intercourse  with  earth ; 
on  the  Sabbath,  none  at  all.  Through  the  week 
he  appeared  to  be  a  stranger  and  a  sojourner ; 
on  the  Sabbath  he  seemed  to  be  at  home  in  the 
city  of  our  God. 

Being  accustomed  to  have  fellowship  with 
God  in  his  private  devotions,  he  prayed  in  pub- 
lic as  one  who  was  not  addressing  a  stranger, 
but  a  well  known  and  well  tried  friend.  His 
supplications  were  most  obviously  addressed, 
not  to  a  God  afar  oS,  but  to  a  God  near  at  baud. 

13 


146  SOUTHERN     CHRISTIAN. 

Having  had  communion  with  God  three  times 
a  day,  he  was  truly  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord  all 
the  day  long.  I  never  knew  a  man  who  had  a 
belter  right  to  say  with  the  Psalmist,  '•  I  have 
set  the  Lord  always  before  me ;  because  he  is 
on  my  right  hand,  I  shall  not  be  moved."  All 
who  knew  him  thoroughly  will  no  doubt  con- 
cur with  the  Editor  when  he  says,  "  I  never  saw 
him  in  a  frame  of  mind  unsuitable  to  devotion, 
nor  in  a  state  of  heart  that  would  not  well  cor- 
respond with  the  death-bed  of  a  saint." 

Finally,  in  him  the  grace  of  God  appeared — 
10.  In  an  habitual  cheerfulness,  an  unclouded 
serenity.  To  the  profligate,  the  vicious,  or  the 
mere  formalist,  the  life  of  our  Southern  Chris- 
tian would  seem  a  course  of  self-denial,  mortifi- 
cation, and  gloom.  Worldly  pleasures,  sinful 
gratifications,  he  had  indeed  abandoned  ;  but  in 
forsaking  them  he  had  risen  to  a  higher  sphere 
of  enjoyment.  In  him  was  it  most  clearly  proved, 
that  "  the  fruit  of  righteousness  is  peacs,  and 
the  cflecfc  of  righteousness  quietness  and  as- 
f^urance  forever."  Why  did  he  delight  so  much 
in  the  hours  of  retirement?  Why  did  he  take 
so  much  ple'-'sure  in  going  to  the  hou?e  of  God? 
Because  he  could  say  in  truth,  "  I  will  go  to  the 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  147 

altar  of  God ;  to  God  my  exceeding  joy." 
Whence  arose  that  perpetual  peace  which  he 
seemed  to  enjoy  ?  "  O  Lord,  thou  wilt  keep 
him  in  perfect  peace,  whose  mind  is  stayed  on 
thee,  because  he  trusteth  in  thee."  His  peace 
verily  flowed  like  a  river,  deepening  and  widen- 
ing as  it  approached  the  ocean.  He  had  his 
heaven  here,  rising  and  increasing  in  felicity  as 
it  ascended  to  the  heaven  of  heavens.  Down 
to  his  last  hour,  the  adage  of  the  wise  man  was 
fully  verified  in.  him:  "Wisdom's  ways  are 
-ways  of  pleasantness,  and  all  her  paths  are 
peace."  Where  then  will  we  find  on  earth  the 
happy  man  ?  Let  an  ancient  sage  answer : 
"  No  one  ought  to  be  pronounced  happy  before 
his  death."  Rather  let  our  Pearson's  life  an- 
swer: "  Mark  the  perfect  man,  and  behold  the 
upright;  for  the  end  of  that  man  is  peace." 


The  letter  from  which  the  following  extract 
is  made,  was  received  from  my  worthy  brother, 
the  Rev.  J.  G.  Landrum,  of  the  Baptist  Church, 
after  this  little  volume  was  completed.  As  it 
strongly  confirms  what  has  been  already  said 


148  SOUTHERN       CHRISTIAN. 

of  the  catholic  spirit  and  heavenly  temper  of 
our  Southern  Christian,  it  is  most  cheerfully 
subjoined. 

"  Mount  Zion,  June  27,  1835. 

*' Anthony  .Tefl'erson  Pearson." 

"  I  became  intimately  acquainted  with  the 
Rev.  J.  Kennedy,  now  of  Pendleton,  S.  C,  in 
the  year  1831,  with  whom  I  spent  some  delight- 
ful hours  in  conversation.  He  often  asked  me 
if  I  ever  had  become  acquainted  with  A.  J. 
Pearson,  remarking,  at  the  same  time,  *  he  is  an 
interesting  young  man ;  upon  an  acquaintance, 
you  would  be  highly  pleased  with  him.'  Mr, 
Kennedy  always  spoke  in  the  most  exalted 
terms  of  him.  He  admired  him  for  his  piety, 
evenness  of  temper,  and  prospects  for  future 
usefulness.  All  others  whom  I  hear  mention 
him,  spoke  in  the  most  exalted  terms  of  him, 
and  gave  me  a  strong  prepossession  in  his 
favor. 

*' Sometime  in  the  year  1832,  I  enjoyed  the 
long  anticipated  pleasure  of  being  introduced 
to  the  young  brother  of  whom  I  had  heard  so 
many  interesting  facts  ;  and  upon  an  intimate 
acquaintance,  which  was  soon  formed,  I  indeed 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  149 

found  him  an  interesting  young  man ;  intelli- 
gent, agreeable,  and  pious ;  a  true  lover  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  all  his  genuine  fol- 
lowers. 

"  Sometime  in  the  same  year,  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church  at  North  Pacolet  solicited  his  la- 
bors. Not  being  yet  licensed  to  preach,  he 
attended  and  delivered  lectures  on  the  catechism; 
in  doing  which  he  always  used  to  pass  the  place 
of  the  writer's  residence,  so  that  he  saw  him 
frequently,  and  was  always  anxious  that  he 
should  call,  which  he  seldom  failed  to  do.  By 
these  interviews  our  acquaintance  was  increased, 
and  I  can  truly  add,  the  more  I  associated  with 
Jefferson  Pearson,  the  more  I  became  attached 
to  him.  The  first  time  I  ever  heard  him  speak 
in  public  was  shortly  after  he  had  commenced 
his  lectures  at  North  Pacolet;  when  he  delivered 
an  impressive  exhortation,  after  a  sermon  had 
been  preached  from  John,  ix.  28,  '  The  Master 
is  come,  and  calleth  for  thee.'  In  his  exhorta- 
tion he  feelingly  urged  sinners  to  comply  with 
the  calls  of  God,  by  repentance  and  faith,  warn- 
ing them  of  the  bad  consequences  of  resisting 
the  Holy  Spirit,  &c.  Though  frequently  with 
him,  I  do  not  remember   to  have  heard  him 

13» 


150  SOUTHERN     CHRISTIAN. 

again   until   he  was  licensed  to  preach  ;  after 
which  he  made  an  appointment  to  preach  at  his 
father's  residence  on  a  certain  evening.    Being 
very  anxious  to  hear  him,   1  attended  his  ap- 
pointment.    He  gave  an  excellent  sermon  in- 
deed from  the  following  text :  '  Come  unto  me, 
all  ye  that  labor  and  are  heavy  laden,  and  I 
will  give  you  rest.'  Matt.  ix.  28.     His  division 
of  the  subject  rendered  it  plain  and   easy,  his 
illustrations  were  simple    and  readily  under- 
stood,   his  language  chaste  and    perspicuous, 
his  sentences  beautiful  and  sublime,  and  his  ap- 
plications forcible  and  impressive :  in  a  word, 
his  performance  v/as  as  I  anticipated  ;  for  I  had 
often  remarked,  when  speaking  of  him,  that  his 
devotedness  to  his  studies,  his  most  excellent 
piety,  together  with  his   good  natural  talents, 
and  fine  opportunities  to  improve  them,  would 
certainly  render  him  an  illustrious  minister  of 
the    Lord    Jesus.      After    hearing   the    above- 
named  sermon,  I  heard  some  persons  express 
themselves   fearful   that  his  manner  of  address 
was  not  sufficiently  animated :    and,  indeed,  I 
had  some  fears  myself  on  that  account;  but  on 
hearing  him  again,  my  fears  were  entirely  re- 
moved.    On  a  certain   evening,  which  I  uhall 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN.  151 

never  forget,  (it  being  the  last  time  my  lot  was 
cast  with  this  worthy  disciple  of  Jesus,)  I  had  an 
appointment  to  preach :  Jefferson  Pearson  made 
it  convenient  to  meet  me,  (he  being  then  a  do- 
mestic missionary,)  and  cheerfully  took  a  part 
in  the  services  of  the  evening,  and  exhorted 
after  sermon  with  great  warmth.  He  proposed 
in  his  exhortation  to  offer  some  of  the  high  in- 
ducements calculated  to  influence  sinners  to 
seek  an  interest  in  Christ:  in  doing  which,  he 
spoke  of  the  torments  of  hell  which  they  might 
escape,  and  the  glories  of  heaven  which  they 
might  gain.  In  this  exhortation,  he  set  forth 
the  horrors  of  the  damned  in  torment  in  most 
awful  colors.  What  a  description!  I  thought 
surely  there  was  not  a  sinner  in  the  house  that 
could  avoid  trembling,  in  view  of  such  an  awful 
catastrophe  as  was  so  eminently  and  awfully 
set  before  him.  And  on  the  other  hand,  the 
grandeur,  the  glory,  and  the  endless  felicity  of 
heaven,  he  pourtrayed  in  the  most  eloquent  and 
enticing  manner.  It  seemed  as  if  he,  while  in 
this  strain  of  imagination,  did  not  only  'see  in 
part,'  but  that  the  veil  was  removed  from  be- 
fore his  eyes,  and  that  all  the  glories  of  th« 


SOUTHERN      CHRISTIAN. 

heavenly  region  had  burst  into  his  mind  with 
so  much  force  and  beauty,  that  one  might  almost 
have  been  lead  to  conclude  that  '  he  had  been 
caught  up  to  the  third  heavens.'  In  this  memo- 
rable exhortation  were  contrasted  the  depths  of 
hell  and  the  heights  of  heaven.  In  treating  of 
them  alternately,  the  attentive  listener's  mind 
was  caught  by  the  most  sudden  transitions  from 
the  lowest  and  most  wretched  degree  of  misery 
to  the  most  exalted  and  heavenly  summits  of 
bliss;  and  then,  in  a  thought,  from  the  highest 
realms  in  glory  down  to  the  very  bottomless  pit. 

"  In  the  closing  remarks  he  seemed,  as  it 
were,  to  hold  out  to  the  sinner  destruction  in 
the  one  hand  and  salvation  in  the  other,  and  in 
the  most  powerful  and  pungent  manner  bade 
him  make  his  choice. 

"  In  a  few  days  the  Lord  called  this  child  of 
heaven  home  to  the  full  enjoyment  of  those 
pleasures  on  which  he  dwelt  so  very  delight- 
fully. This  last  discourse  of  A.  J.  Pearson  had 
a  captivating  influence  on  my  feelings  ;  and  so 
shortly  after  hearing  of  his  departure,  it  became 
indelibly  instamped.  It  will,  I  doubt  not,  be  re- 
membered by  me  in  eternity. 


SOUTHERN     CHRISTIAN,  I53 

"  Finally,  when  I  am  brought  to  view  the 
many  interesting  traits  exhibited  in  his  charac- 
ter, I  frankly  confess  that  I  have  known  but 
few,  if  any,  of  equal  worth.  If  he  had  a  single 
fault,  my  partiality  towards  him  never  suffered 
me  to  behold  it. 

"Jno.  G.  Landrum." 


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